came to light

USAGE SUMMARY

"came to light" is an idiom that is commonly used in written English.
Example: After a thorough investigation, the truth of the scandal finally came to light.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Further evasions came to light.

The Economist

Nothing came to light.

The New Yorker

Then a remarkable finding came to light.

The New York Times - Books

A Fianna Fail underworld came to light.

Independent

Many differences came to light.

Yale University

The discrepancy eventually came to light.

Britannica

Schellenberg's case came to light after that.

The Washington Post

This evidence never came to light before.

The Guardian

Mr. Hare's name also came to light.

The New York Times

Later, mitigating information came to light.

Britannica

Then the hazards of margarine came to light.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "was revealed" or "became known" for clarity in specific contexts where a simpler expression is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "came to light" when you should be using the active voice. For instance, instead of "The issue came to light due to his investigation", a more direct phrasing might be "His investigation revealed the issue."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came to light" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It's used to describe the moment when information or facts, previously unknown or hidden, are revealed or discovered. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "came to light" is a versatile and frequently used idiom that describes the revelation or discovery of previously unknown information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Its presence across various contexts, from academic papers to news reports, highlights its utility in communicating the emergence of facts or issues. While alternatives like "became known" or "was revealed" exist, "came to light" provides a nuanced way to express that something has been brought into the open, often implying a sense of uncovering or unveiling. Using "came to light" effectively involves understanding its neutral register and avoiding misuse in place of more direct, active voice constructions. With its prevalent use in authoritative sources, mastering the application of "came to light" can enhance clarity and sophistication in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was brought to light

A more formal and passive construction of the original phrase.

became known

Directly replaces the idiom with a more straightforward expression.

was revealed

Similar to 'became known' but emphasizes the act of unveiling.

emerged

Implies a gradual appearance or discovery.

was discovered

Focuses on the finding of something previously unknown.

surfaced

Suggests something hidden rising to the top.

came to the surface

Similar to 'surfaced', but more explicit.

transpired

More formal, implying a gradual unfolding of events.

unveiled

Suggests a deliberate act of making something known.

leaked out

Implies the information was released unofficially or accidentally.

FAQs

How can I use "came to light" in a sentence?

Use "came to light" to indicate that something previously unknown has been revealed. For example: "New evidence "came to light" during the investigation."

What's a more formal alternative to "came to light"?

A more formal alternative is "was brought to light". This phrasing is suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is "came to light" appropriate for informal conversation?

"Came to light" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very casual conversation, you might opt for simpler phrases like "became known" or "was revealed".

What is the difference between "came to light" and "emerged"?

"Came to light" suggests a discovery or revelation of something previously hidden, while "emerged" implies a gradual appearance or development. Although similar, "came to light" often carries a stronger connotation of unveiling a secret or solving a mystery.