come to light

USAGE SUMMARY

"come to light" is an idiomatic phrase used in written English.
You can use it to refer to information which has been revealed through an investigation or which was previously unknown. For example: "The true motives behind the robbery came to light after the police interrogated the suspects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has come to light that A.T.F.

The New York Times

No additional evidence has come to light.

The New York Times

How did all this come to light?

Independent

Other complex cases have come to light.

The New York Times

No other copies have come to light.

The New Yorker

But problems come to light.

The Guardian

"It would have never come to light.

The New York Times

Should this unwitting slaughter come to light.

The New Yorker

How did this come to light?

The Guardian - Money

"One day, it will come to light".

The New Yorker

New shit has come to light.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "emerge" or "be revealed" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "come to light" when you intend to describe something actively illuminating or clarifying something else. "Come to light" is passive; it describes something being revealed, not something doing the revealing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "come to light" is as a verb phrase. It typically functions as the predicate of a sentence, indicating that something previously unknown or hidden has become known or revealed. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes the revealing of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come to light" is a frequently used idiomatic phrase that signifies the revelation or discovery of previously unknown information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and scientific writing. While synonyms like ""be revealed"" or "emerge" can be used, "come to light" emphasizes the process of uncovering or investigation. When writing, remember that this phrase is passive, describing something being revealed rather than actively revealing something else. With its widespread presence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and BBC, it's a reliable choice for expressing the unveiling of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be brought to light

Focuses on the action of someone or something causing the revelation.

be revealed

Focuses on the act of revealing, often implying a deliberate unveiling.

be discovered

Emphasizes the finding of something that was hidden or unknown.

become known

A more general term for information becoming public.

emerge

Suggests something gradually appearing or becoming visible.

surface

Implies something coming to the top or becoming apparent after being hidden.

transpire

A more formal term indicating that something has occurred and become known.

be unearthed

Suggests careful digging or investigation to reveal something.

see the light of day

An idiomatic expression referring to something being made public after a long period of secrecy.

break to the surface

Implies a forceful emergence of information, often against resistance.

FAQs

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

The phrase "come to light" is used to describe when a fact or piece of information becomes known. For example, "New evidence came to light during the investigation".

What's a synonym for "come to light"?

Alternatives to "come to light" include "be revealed", "be discovered", or "become known". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "came to light" or "was brought to light"?

"Came to light" is generally more concise and natural. "Was brought to light" emphasizes the action of someone or something causing the revelation. Both are correct, but the former is often preferred for its simplicity.

What does it mean when something "sees the light of day"?

The idiom "see the light of day" is similar to "come to light" but often refers specifically to something being made public after a period of secrecy or development. For instance, a new law might "see the light of day" after months of debate.