be brought to light

USAGE SUMMARY

"be brought to light" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to revealing or disclosing information that was previously hidden or unknown. An example: "The investigation aimed to ensure that all relevant facts would be brought to light." Alternative expressions include "come to light" and "be revealed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"When you lose, they will be brought to light," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I am confident that the full details will be brought to light in an eventual trial.

The New York Times

The government is strongly committed to transparency and that every wrongdoing should be brought to light.

The Economist

"I am confident that the truth will be brought to light," she said.

The New York Times

Don't pass the buck Often, inappropriate behaviour will be brought to light through other employees' complaints.

The Guardian

Should new information be brought to light, the O.I.O.S. will certainly pursue such information.

The New York Times

Stories hidden from the news will be brought to light – with jokes.

The Guardian

And this very examining principle, which investigates and decides in these matters, must be brought to light.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For The Aftermath Project, both the fighting season and everything that comes afterward deserve to be brought to light.

The New York Times

Would instituting a code increase the likelihood that acts of gross management malfeasance would be brought to light?

Harvard Business Review

If it wasn't for these undercover investigations, the conditions, lawbreaking and cruelty wouldn't be brought to light.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be brought to light" when you want to emphasize the process of something previously hidden or unknown becoming revealed or publicly known. It is appropriate for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "be brought to light" in highly informal settings can sound overly formal or stilted. In casual conversation, consider simpler alternatives like "revealed" or "came out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be brought to light" functions as a passive construction indicating that something is being revealed or made known. Ludwig shows examples where it's used to describe the uncovering of facts, truths, or wrongdoings. It emphasizes the action of revealing rather than the state of being known.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be brought to light" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that means to reveal something previously hidden or unknown. Ludwig confirms its widespread use in News & Media, Academia, and Science. Although the phrase is most suitable for formal contexts, it can sound overly formal in casual settings. Related alternatives include "be revealed" and "come to light". The phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be revealed

Focuses on the act of uncovering something previously hidden.

be disclosed

Emphasizes the formal act of making information known.

come to light

Highlights the emergence of information into public awareness.

be uncovered

Suggests an investigative process leading to a discovery.

be exposed

Implies a vulnerability in the revelation of something.

be made public

Focuses on the act of disseminating information to a wider audience.

be unveiled

Suggests a grand or ceremonial revelation.

be discovered

Highlights the finding of something previously unknown.

be unearthed

Implies digging up or finding something hidden for a long time.

become known

Emphasizes the process of information becoming widely recognized.

FAQs

How can I use "be brought to light" in a sentence?

Use "be brought to light" when you want to express that something previously hidden or unknown is being revealed. For example: "The investigation ensured that all relevant facts would "be brought to light"".

What are some alternatives to "be brought to light"?

You can use alternatives such as "be revealed", "come to light", or "be disclosed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "be brought to light" and "come to light"?

"Be brought to light" often implies an active effort to reveal something, whereas "come to light" suggests a more passive emergence of information. Both refer to something previously hidden becoming known.

Is "be brought to light" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "be brought to light" is well-suited for formal writing. It's frequently used in news reports, academic papers, and legal documents, where clarity and a degree of formality are valued.