close to being discovered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to being discovered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is nearly found out or revealed, often in contexts related to secrets, discoveries, or hidden information. Example: "The ancient ruins were close to being discovered by the archaeologists, who had been searching the area for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Or close to being discovered?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The supernova, named SN2014J, is 12 million lightyears from Earth, which makes it the closest of its kind to be discovered in 4 decades.

Science Magazine

Hence, it would seem that at least two mutually non-exclusive mechanisms may contribute to reproductive isolation between the E and Z races of the ECB: an assortative meeting ensured by their difference in female sex pheromones and an additional mechanism acting at close range, which is yet to be discovered.

Plosone

The fact that three new species were found in such close proximity demonstrates how much remains to be discovered in the PPSRNP, and how even small scale forest disturbance could result in extinctions.

Botanical Studies

John Maddox writes in a note in his book 'What Remains to be Discovered': 'The close similarity of the chemical structure of the RNA molecules of the ribosomes from organisms of the same class is persuasive evidence of the antiquity of ribosomes in the evolution of living things' (Maddox, 1999).

Geobiology

It is already within you, close to you, around you — waiting to be discovered by you.

WikiHow

Thus once positive and close to 1, correlation is discovered to indicate a similar trend in the number of deaths.

Health Economics Review

And with its beach and close proximity to central Boston, it is being discovered by yuppies.

The New York Times

For example, nearly 300,000 species of flowering plants are known, but their true number may be closer to 400,000, with about 2,000 species being discovered each year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chalmers said a well preserved cigarette butt bearing traces of Zalkalns's DNA was found close to where Alice was discovered.

The Guardian

The ancestor of today's elephants, stegomastodons are older than woolly mammoths; this particular one would have fed along the ancient Rio Grande, close to where it was discovered.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to being discovered" to create suspense in writing, especially when hinting at a secret or hidden truth that is about to be revealed.

Common error

While "close to being discovered" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "nearing discovery" or "on the verge of exposure" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to being discovered" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its state of nearly being revealed or detected. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to being discovered" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe something nearing revelation, detection, or exposure. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, its frequency is rare, making it important to use judiciously and consider synonyms like "nearing discovery" or "on the verge of exposure" to enhance writing. It's versatile, fitting various contexts, especially in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing discovery

A more concise and direct way of expressing the approach of discovery.

on the verge of exposure

Emphasizes the imminence of something being revealed, often with a negative connotation.

close to revelation

Highlights the revealing aspect, often in a more formal or dramatic context.

about to be found out

Focuses on the act of someone or something being detected after being hidden.

on the brink of detection

Similar to 'on the verge,' but specifically relates to being noticed or identified.

almost unveiled

Suggests something is nearly uncovered or revealed, often intentionally.

nearly brought to light

Emphasizes the act of making something known or public.

approaching disclosure

Highlights the revealing aspect, often in a more formal or dramatic context.

in danger of being revealed

Focuses on the potential negative consequences of something being discovered.

on the horizon of being uncovered

Suggests the act of making something known or public.

FAQs

How can I use "close to being discovered" in a sentence?

You can use "close to being discovered" to describe something that is almost revealed or found out. For example: "The truth was "close to being discovered" when a new piece of evidence surfaced."

What are some alternatives to "close to being discovered"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of exposure", "nearing discovery", or "about to be found out". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "close to being discovered" formal or informal?

"Close to being discovered" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when making your decision.

What's the difference between "close to being discovered" and "already discovered"?

"Close to being discovered" implies that something is on the cusp of being revealed but hasn't been yet, while "already discovered" means that it has, in fact, been found out.