bringing to the surface

USAGE SUMMARY

"bringing to the surface" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to mean uncovering or revealing something that was previously hidden or unknown. Example: The investigation into the company's finances exposed corruption, bringing to the surface years of fraudulent activity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Bringing to the surface all the sadness over my mum..

The Guardian - Books

In his next symphony, he set himself the goal of bringing to the surface the joy inherent in creation.

The New Yorker

The anthrax incidents, in bringing to the surface a latent hysteria, are more important skirmishes in this new war than anything that happens in the Afghan mountains.

The New York Times

By their nature, they exaggerate divisions within a party, bringing to the surface the most extreme elements in a political coalition.

The New Yorker

Hired largely to unclog drainage gates, he scours the murky depths of the Tietê and Pinheiros, which have symbolized São Paulo's environmental degradation for decades, bringing to the surface a list of items that is eerie and bizarre.

The New York Times

His final film, the 19th-century samurai drama "Taboo" (1999), which he directed after suffering his first stroke, continued his late-career theme of forbidden love, bringing to the surface the homoerotic currents of "Mr. Lawrence".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Things get turned over and brought to the surface.

The New York Times - Science

The violence brought to the surface the resentments that have long coursed through society in Xinjiang.

The New York Times

The attacks brought to the surface many of the unresolved conflicts over the twin towers.

The New York Times

In this production, the darkness of the piece is brought to the surface.

The Guardian

When brought to the surface, the creatures smelled of rotten eggs, a sign of sulfur.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bringing to the surface" when you want to emphasize the act of uncovering something that was previously hidden or not easily recognized. It's effective for discussing emotions, issues, or information.

Common error

Avoid using "bringing to the surface" when a simpler verb like 'revealing' or 'showing' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bringing to the surface" functions as a verbal phrase often used as part of a longer verb phrase. It indicates the action of revealing or uncovering something that was previously hidden or latent. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bringing to the surface" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of revealing something previously hidden, latent, or unknown. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. Its function is to emphasize revelation, with a generally neutral register suitable for news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While alternatives like "revealing" or "exposing" exist, "bringing to the surface" offers a specific nuance of uncovering after a period of concealment. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in situations where simpler verbs would suffice. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its frequent and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bringing to light

A very similar idiom, but emphasizes the act of making something visible or known.

revealing

Directly expresses the act of making something known.

unveiling

A more concise, single-word alternative that emphasizes the act of revealing.

exposing

Implies uncovering something that was deliberately concealed, often with negative connotations.

disclosing

Formal term for revealing information, often of a confidential nature.

unearthing

Suggests discovering something hidden or buried, often after a deliberate search.

drawing out

Suggests a more gradual or gentle process of revelation.

making apparent

Emphasizes the act of clarifying something that was previously unclear.

highlighting

Focuses on making something more prominent or noticeable.

elucidating

Focuses on clarifying complex or obscure information.

FAQs

What does "bringing to the surface" mean?

The phrase "bringing to the surface" means to reveal, uncover, or make something known that was previously hidden or not obvious. It's often used to describe uncovering emotions, problems, or information.

How can I use "bringing to the surface" in a sentence?

You can use "bringing to the surface" in a sentence like this: "The investigation into the company's finances ended up "revealing" years of fraudulent activity by bringing to the surface years of fraudulent activity."

What are some alternatives to "bringing to the surface"?

Some alternatives to "bringing to the surface" include "unveiling", "revealing", "exposing", or "bringing to light", depending on the context.

Is "bringing to the surface" formal or informal?

"Bringing to the surface" is neither strictly formal nor informal. It's suitable for a variety of contexts, including news articles, academic papers, and general writing. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone.