be uncovered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be uncovered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is revealed or exposed, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The truth will eventually be uncovered, no matter how hard they try to hide it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It contains secrets, waiting to be uncovered.

The New York Times - Books

Many other instances may never be uncovered.

The New York Times

No revelation to be uncovered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Snowden could be uncovered at any minute.

The Guardian

The truth may never be uncovered.

The Guardian - Opinion

What medical calamity might be uncovered?

The Washington Post

There are no dark secrets to be uncovered.

The New York Times

Which other gems are out there waiting to be uncovered?

The Guardian - Books

"Wherever it is found, it must be uncovered and punished.

The Guardian

Who knows what else might be uncovered at Celestine?

Independent

A new players' food fad will be uncovered.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be uncovered" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of the discovery or revelation. It's particularly effective when the uncovering is the result of an external action or process.

Common error

Avoid using "be uncovered" in sentences where an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The detective ensured the truth would be uncovered", consider "The detective uncovered the truth."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be uncovered" functions primarily as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action of uncovering, rather than the one performing it. Ludwig's examples show this passive usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be uncovered" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb construction used to express the revelation or discovery of something previously hidden or unknown. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, remember to consider the active voice when it would be more direct and impactful. Alternatives like ""be revealed"" or "be exposed" can provide nuanced shades of meaning depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be revealed

Focuses on the act of making something known, often unexpectedly or dramatically.

be exposed

Highlights the act of uncovering something, often with a negative connotation of vulnerability or risk.

be brought to light

Emphasizes the process of making something visible or understood after a period of obscurity.

come to light

Similar to 'be brought to light' but implies a more natural or inevitable revelation.

be discovered

Highlights the act of finding something that was previously unknown or unnoticed.

be unearthed

Suggests a more thorough or investigative process of uncovering something, often from a literal or figurative burial.

be disclosed

Focuses on the act of officially or formally revealing information.

be made public

Highlights the act of disseminating information to a wide audience.

be brought to the surface

Implies the act of revealing something that was hidden or submerged, either literally or figuratively.

be unveiled

Suggests a formal or ceremonial act of revealing something, often with anticipation or excitement.

FAQs

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

Use "be uncovered" when you want to express that something is revealed or discovered, often implying a passive process. For example, "The truth will eventually "be revealed", no matter how hard they try to hide it."

What are some alternatives to "be uncovered"?

You can use alternatives such as ""be revealed"", "be exposed", or "come to light" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be uncovered"?

The choice depends on the emphasis you want to give. Passive voice with "be uncovered" emphasizes the thing being revealed, while active voice focuses on the one doing the revealing. For instance, "The scandal was uncovered by the journalist" versus "The journalist uncovered the scandal".

What's the difference between "be uncovered" and "be discovered"?

"Be uncovered" often implies that something was hidden or concealed and then revealed, whereas "be discovered" simply means something was found or learned for the first time, without necessarily implying it was hidden. For example, a new species can be discovered but a conspiracy needs to "be uncovered".