can be unearthed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be unearthed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of discovering or revealing something that was previously hidden or unknown. Example: "Through extensive research, many historical facts can be unearthed that shed light on our past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Kent police have confirmed they are liaising with their counterparts in Belfast to see if any clues can be unearthed.

The Guardian

"The Cave Dwellers, William Saroyann's 1958 allegorical-philosophical-existentialist fantasy, is about as curious a play as can be unearthed.

The New York Times

Almost always, there have also been archeologists on the scene, clipboards and trowels in hand, to see what can be unearthed from the briefly exposed soil.

The New Yorker

Barker told her parents, Des and Doreen James: "We have explored as best we can what can be unearthed at this late stage within the legal constraints I am bound by.

The Guardian

Stories of its damage can be unearthed in most families.

Huffington Post

It's a place of calm and chaos, where hidden surprises can be unearthed by the user.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The antipathy to public spending can also be unearthed in views to the NHS.

The Guardian

As Gerald Posner's gossipy new compendium points out, a lot of Motown's history can also be unearthed in the basement archive of the Wayne County Court in Detroit.

The New York Times - Books

Precisely because their ostensible function is so easily determined, there has long been an assumption that cookbooks (and recipes generally) must contain all manner of hidden agendas, which can only be unearthed by those who possess the right code-breaking tools.

The Guardian - Books

Therefore, the potential for "early" discharge we can infer from our findings, financial motives may be unearthed.

BMC Health Services Research

Tombs must be unearthed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be unearthed" when you want to convey the idea of discovering something that requires investigation or effort to find. It implies that the information is not readily available and needs to be actively sought out.

Common error

Avoid using "can be unearthed" when a simpler term like "can be found" or "can be discovered" suffices. The phrase is more appropriate when the discovery involves effort or investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be unearthed" functions as a passive construction indicating the potential for something hidden or unknown to be discovered. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples across different contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It commonly describes uncovering facts, stories, or artifacts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be unearthed" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the potential for discovery through investigation or effort. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources, mostly from News & Media and Science. While "can be unearthed" implies a degree of effort to uncover, simpler alternatives like "can be found" are more appropriate for straightforward discoveries. Use it judiciously to add depth to your writing when you want to emphasize the process of revealing something hidden.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be discovered

Focuses on the act of finding something out, emphasizing the finding process.

can be revealed

Emphasizes the act of making something known or visible, highlighting the revealing aspect.

can be uncovered

Highlights the removal of a covering or concealment, suggesting a deliberate effort to expose.

can be brought to light

Focuses on making something known publicly, emphasizing the act of illuminating.

can be exposed

Highlights the act of revealing something, often with a negative connotation of uncovering something undesirable.

can be detected

Focuses on noticing or discovering something, often through careful observation or investigation.

can be found

A general alternative that signifies something is available or able to be located.

can be brought to the surface

Emphasizes the movement from a hidden or submerged state to a visible one.

can be extracted

Suggests removing something with effort, often implying a process of separation.

can be dug up

Suggests finding something through diligent searching or investigation, often with a sense of effort.

FAQs

What does "can be unearthed" mean?

The phrase "can be unearthed" means that something previously hidden or unknown can be discovered or revealed, often through investigation or diligent searching.

What can I say instead of "can be unearthed"?

You can use alternatives like "can be discovered", "can be revealed", or "can be uncovered" depending on the context.

How is "can be unearthed" used in a sentence?

The phrase "can be unearthed" is used to describe the possibility of finding or revealing something that is not immediately obvious. For example, "New evidence can be unearthed through further research."

When is it appropriate to use "can be unearthed" over simpler alternatives?

Use "can be unearthed" when you want to emphasize the effort or investigation required to find or reveal something. Simpler alternatives like "can be found" are suitable when the discovery is more straightforward.