discovery

USAGE SUMMARY

'discovery' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the act of finding something you did not know existed before, or when you want to refer to something that has been found. Example sentence: The discovery of penicillin in 1928 revolutionised medicine.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our most bizarre discovery, however, was left until last.

The Guardian - Travel

This is important because the nearest record of a Dryas' monkey is 400km to the west, meaning, if confirmed, the discovery would significantly expand the range of a primate considered critically endangered.

The Guardian

#bleepme is a creative tool and discovery platform, it's all about showcasing new creative talent.

The Guardian

Over the years I knew and worked with her, I saw the same thing happen time after time: that click, that exposure, that sense of a discovery.

The Guardian - Arts

The first breakthrough in this quest was the discovery that gold utensils, as well as looking fabulous, are inert and so do not interfere with the flavour of food or drink.

The Guardian - Tech

Because Mr Basinski – and we use the deferential formal term of address because his work is sufficiently serious in its execution and substantial in its weight and gravitas to warrant it – is a truly welcome discovery.

The Guardian - Music

The shocking discovery by police of people allegedly forced to work against their will and live in humiliating conditions at a Bedfordshire caravan site has reminded us of the reality of modern slavery in the UK.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the customs officers were getting to grips with their discovery, Gurlitt, 80, reportedly remained in his darkened bedroom without protesting.

The Guardian

Photos in the lobby show Kirkuk's development over the past century: a brief period of British occupation in 1918; the discovery of oil in the 1920s; modernisation of what was once ancient Sumeria and Assyria.

The Guardian

The bank had already promised to present an overhaul of its business to investors in New York on 17 November, but the discovery of the trading loss has piled pressure on Grübel to accelerate the review.

The Guardian - Business

The real joy of web series has always been the discovery of new talent.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discovery", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being discovered and the significance of the finding. For example, "The discovery of a new species of insect..." is more effective than just "The discovery was important."

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of a "discovery" before its full implications are understood. Prematurely declaring a minor finding as a major breakthrough can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "discovery" is as a noun. It commonly functions as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the act of finding something new or the thing that is found. Ludwig examples show it in contexts like "the "discovery" of oil" or "a welcome "discovery""

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discovery" functions as a noun referring to the act of finding something new or the thing that is found. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While it's a very common term, ensure clarity by specifying what is being discovered and avoid exaggerating the significance of the finding. Consider alternatives like "finding", "breakthrough", or "revelation" to fine-tune your writing. "Discovery" maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for objective reporting and academic discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finding

Focuses on the act of locating something, often something lost or hidden.

breakthrough

Emphasizes a significant advancement or achievement resulting from research or effort.

unearthing

Implies digging up or uncovering something hidden, often historical or archaeological.

revelation

Suggests a surprising or previously unknown fact being revealed.

ascertainment

Highlights the process of finding something out for certain; determination.

identification

Highlights the act of recognizing or establishing something as being a particular thing.

detection

Focuses on noticing or discovering something not easily observed.

exposure

Indicates bringing something to light or making it known.

disclosure

Emphasizes the act of revealing information, often private or confidential.

learning

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge or understanding through study or experience.

FAQs

How to use "discovery" in a sentence?

Use "discovery" to refer to the act of finding something new, or the thing that is found. For instance, "The "discovery" of penicillin revolutionized medicine", or "His greatest "discovery" was a new species of frog".

What can I say instead of "discovery"?

You can use alternatives like "finding", "breakthrough", or "revelation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "discovery" or "discoveries"?

"Discovery" is singular, referring to a single instance of finding something. "Discoveries" is plural, referring to multiple instances or findings. For example: "The single most important "discovery" was relativity", or "Many significant discoveries were made in the 20th century".

What's the difference between "discovery" and "invention"?

"Discovery" refers to finding something that already exists but was previously unknown, while "invention" refers to creating something entirely new. You can't say, "The invention of America", but you can say "The "discovery" of America".