has come to light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has come to light" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that new information or facts have been revealed or discovered. Example: "The investigation revealed that several important documents have come to light, shedding new light on the case."

✓ 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

What has come to light?

The Guardian - Opinion

New shit has come to light.

The Guardian - Music

Not a single exception has come to light.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And a more worrisome possibility has come to light.

The New York Times

Nothing at all untoward has come to light.

The Guardian - Sport

Since the report's publication, more evidence has come to light.

The Guardian

Since then, of course, more information about fake accounts and online attacks has come to light.

Harvard University

The issue has come to light because of two recent activist situations.

The New York Times

He announced, just one day later: "No additional evidence has come to light.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to choose a synonym if "has come to light" feels too cliché. Alternatives like "has been revealed" or "has emerged" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "has come to light" in extremely formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferred. Instead, opt for terms like "has been demonstrated" or "has been established" for a more scholarly tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has come to light" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that something previously unknown or hidden has been revealed or discovered. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts to introduce new information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has come to light" is a commonly used and grammatically sound idiomatic expression that indicates something previously unknown has been revealed. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to introduce new information, often with the implication of clarifying a situation. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of writing styles, though more specific language might be preferred in highly formal settings. Consider using synonyms like "has been revealed" or "has emerged" for nuanced meaning or to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been revealed

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the act of revealing.

has been discovered

Focuses on the finding or uncovering of something previously unknown.

has emerged

Suggests a gradual appearance or development of information.

has surfaced

Implies that something previously hidden is now visible.

has become known

Highlights the gaining of public or general awareness.

has been brought to light

Emphasizes the action of someone making the information public.

has been uncovered

Suggests a deliberate effort to find and reveal something.

has transpired

Implies that events have unfolded and become apparent.

has unfolded

Focuses on the step-by-step revelation of a situation or event.

has materialized

Suggests something abstract has become concrete or real.

FAQs

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

Use "has come to light" to indicate that new information or facts have been revealed. For example, "The investigation revealed that several important documents "have come to light", shedding new light on the case."

What can I say instead of "has come to light"?

You can use alternatives like "has been revealed", "has emerged", or "has surfaced" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "came to light" instead of "has come to light"?

Yes, both are correct, but they have slightly different implications. "Came to light" implies a completed action in the past, while "has come to light" suggests the revelation is more recent or continues to have relevance.

What's the difference between "has come to light" and "brought to light"?

"Has come to light" means something has been revealed, often passively. "Brought to light" implies someone or something actively revealed the information. For example, "The investigation brought the truth to light."