it can be unearthed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can be unearthed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that can be discovered or revealed, often in the context of information, artifacts, or hidden truths. Example: "After years of research, it can be unearthed that the ancient civilization had advanced technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's an open-ended week of inquiry into the concept of genius -- what causes it, what cultivates it and where it can be unearthed next," she told The Huffington Post.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Stories of its damage can be unearthed in most families.

Huffington Post

It's a place of calm and chaos, where hidden surprises can be unearthed by the user.

Vice

Saudi Arabia may be a defendant if credible proof of its complicity in the approximately 3,000 terrorist murders on that date can be unearthed.

Huffington Post

Kent police have confirmed they are liaising with their counterparts in Belfast to see if any clues can be unearthed.

The Guardian

"The Cave Dwellers, William Saroyann's 1958 allegorical-philosophical-existentialist fantasy, is about as curious a play as can be unearthed.

The New York Times

Almost always, there have also been archeologists on the scene, clipboards and trowels in hand, to see what can be unearthed from the briefly exposed soil.

The New Yorker

Barker told her parents, Des and Doreen James: "We have explored as best we can what can be unearthed at this late stage within the legal constraints I am bound by.

The Guardian

The facts that can be unearthed with a little research tell a different story: The political tensions in Tunisia were triggered by the anger of large parts of the population, suffering under high unemployment and inflation rates.

Huffington Post

The antipathy to public spending can also be unearthed in views to the NHS.

The Guardian

As Gerald Posner's gossipy new compendium points out, a lot of Motown's history can also be unearthed in the basement archive of the Wayne County Court in Detroit.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it can be unearthed" when you want to emphasize the process of careful investigation or digging to reveal something hidden, whether it's a physical object, information, or a truth. Ensure the context implies a deliberate effort to find what is being unearthed.

Common error

Avoid using "it can be unearthed" when referring to something that is easily found or readily available. This phrase implies a degree of difficulty and persistence in the discovery process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can be unearthed" functions as a passive construction indicating that something is capable of being discovered or revealed through effort or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, primarily in revealing hidden or obscured information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it can be unearthed" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey the potential for discovery through investigation. It's commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, reflecting its use in reporting findings and revealing hidden information. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards professional due to its prevalence in authoritative sources. Ludwig AI affirms the acceptability and proper usage of this phrase, further validating its place in formal and informal communication. Remember to use it when emphasizing the investigative process, and avoid it when referring to easily accessible information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can be discovered

Focuses on the act of finding something that was previously hidden or unknown.

it can be revealed

Emphasizes the act of making something known or visible that was previously concealed.

it can be uncovered

Similar to unearthed, but often used in a more figurative sense, like uncovering a secret.

it can be brought to light

Highlights the act of making something public or known, especially something previously secret or hidden.

it can be exposed

Suggests revealing something, often with negative connotations like exposing a scandal.

it can be dug up

More informal, emphasizing the effort involved in finding something.

it can be ascertained

Focuses on finding something out for certain after investigation.

it can be discerned

Emphasizes perceiving or recognizing something that is not immediately obvious.

it can be brought to the surface

Similar to bringing to light, but with a stronger emphasis on something being hidden deep down.

it can be identified

Focuses on recognizing or establishing what something is.

FAQs

How can I use "it can be unearthed" in a sentence?

Use "it can be unearthed" to suggest that something, usually hidden or not easily accessible, can be discovered through investigation or effort. For example, "With careful research, valuable insights it can be unearthed."

What can I say instead of "it can be unearthed"?

You can use alternatives like "it can be discovered", "it can be revealed", or "it can be uncovered" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "it can be unearthed" or "it can be discovered"?

"It can be unearthed" often implies a more deliberate and perhaps difficult process of discovery compared to "it can be discovered", which is a more general term. Thus, "it can be unearthed" might be considered slightly more formal in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "it can be unearthed" and "it can be excavated"?

"Excavated" typically refers to the physical act of digging something out of the ground, while "it can be unearthed" can be used more broadly to describe the discovery of not only physical objects but also information or truths. Therefore, excavating is a physical act, whereas unearthing can be more figurative.