discovers that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discovers that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone finds out or learns something new or unexpected. Example: "In her research, she discovers that the ancient civilization had advanced technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yvonne discovers that Nick cut the brakes of the car.

Wikipedia

He discovers that this is so.

The New Yorker

Chuckie discovers that they are reading there.

The New Yorker

Discovers that he belongs.

The New York Times - Arts

Or whether he, too, discovers that leverage works both ways.

The New York Times

She discovers that Mr. Laver is trying to kill himself.

The New Yorker

McClean discovers that change may mean dancing with the Devil.

The New York Times

WORST CASE The team discovers that holding the (O. J).

The New York Times - Sports

The Joshua tree discovers that it loves to dance!

The New Yorker

Later he discovers that this is a common racket.

The New Yorker

Writer also discovers that she herself can enjoy life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discovers that" when you want to emphasize the process of finding something out, especially when it involves some effort or investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "discovers that" when a simpler alternative like "finds" or "learns" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discovers that" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a subordinate clause. It indicates the act of finding out or becoming aware of something, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

28%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discovers that" is a versatile verb phrase used to introduce a finding or realization. As shown by Ludwig, it's common across various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, simpler alternatives like "finds out" or "learns" may be preferable in informal settings. When writing, remember to emphasize the process of finding something out and avoid overuse in simple contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples for effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finds out that

Uses a more common verb to express the act of discovering.

finds that

A more concise alternative with the same core meaning.

learns that

Implies gaining knowledge, similar to discovering.

realizes that

Focuses on the moment of understanding after discovery.

uncovers that

Suggests a more investigative approach to the discovery.

ascertains that

Implies confirming something to be true.

detects that

Indicates a subtle or observant discovery.

reveals that

Suggests the discovery brings new information to light.

determines that

Implies a process of investigation and conclusion.

comes to know that

A more elaborate way of expressing the discovery.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "discovers that"?

You can use alternatives like "finds out that", "learns that", or "realizes that" depending on the context.

How to use "discovers that" in a sentence?

"Discovers that" is typically followed by a clause. For example, "She discovers that the rumors were true".

Is "discovers that" formal or informal?

"Discovers that" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although simpler alternatives might be preferable in very informal settings.

What's the difference between "discovers that" and "finds out that"?

"Discovers that" often implies a more deliberate or surprising finding, while "finds out that" is a more general term for learning something.