be discovered

USAGE SUMMARY

"be discovered" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the act of someone or something being found or uncovered. It is often used in the passive voice to emphasize the action or event rather than the subject. Example: The ancient ruins were finally discovered by a team of archaeologists after years of searching.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Others remain to be discovered.

The New York Times - Arts

Wait to be discovered.

The New York Times

But documents began to be discovered.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The culprit is yet to be discovered.

The New York Times

Other vulnerabilities are sure be discovered.

The Economist

But all this is to be discovered.

Independent

Is she still to be discovered?

The New Yorker

What remains to be discovered?

The Guardian - Books

Undoubtedly more errors remain to be discovered.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Will the book's fate be discovered?

The New Yorker

Coelocentrum to be discovered in the future.

Botanical Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be discovered", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the discovering, even if it's implied. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Overusing the passive voice, especially with phrases like "be discovered", can make writing seem vague or indirect. Actively consider if rephrasing to an active voice would improve clarity and impact. For instance, instead of "New lands were discovered by explorers", consider "Explorers discovered new lands".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be discovered" functions primarily as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action of discovering, rather than the actor. This usage aligns with Ludwig's examples, demonstrating its role in describing something being found or revealed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be discovered" is a frequently used and grammatically sound passive verb phrase. It is used across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academia to emphasize the finding or revealing of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its function is to highlight the event rather than the actor. When writing, ensure that the context provides clarity. Consider if switching to an active voice would improve impact, but embrace the passive voice when the focus is on what's uncovered, not who did the uncovering.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be found

Replaces "discovered" with a more general term for locating something.

be revealed

Emphasizes the unveiling or disclosure aspect of the discovery.

be uncovered

Focuses on removing a covering to expose something previously hidden.

come to light

Indicates that something is becoming known or apparent.

become known

Highlights the process of something entering into public awareness.

be unearthed

Implies a more deliberate and perhaps laborious process of discovery, like digging something up.

be detected

Focuses on the act of noticing or perceiving something, often something subtle.

be identified

Highlights the act of recognizing or establishing the identity of something.

be ascertained

Suggests a process of finding something out for certain.

be brought to the surface

Emphasizes the removal of something from obscurity or concealment.

FAQs

How can I use "be discovered" in a sentence?

"Be discovered" is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that something is found or revealed. For example, "The ancient city was finally discovered after centuries of being lost" or "She hoped to "be discovered" for her talent".

What can I say instead of "be discovered"?

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

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "discover"?

It depends on the context. The active voice (e.g., "Scientists discovered...") emphasizes the discoverer, while the passive voice ("...was discovered") emphasizes what was found. Choose the voice that best suits your intended focus.

What does it mean when someone says they want to "be discovered"?

Typically, it means they hope to gain recognition or fame for their talents or abilities, often in the entertainment industry. It implies waiting for someone to recognize their potential.