it emerged that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it emerged that" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It usually indicates that something was recently discovered or revealed. For example, "It emerged that the company had been avoiding taxes for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it emerged that the brothers do not watch movies together.

Independent

In December 2012 it emerged that Edinburgh's Mortonhall Crematorium had secretly buried babies' ashes for decades.

BBC

Embarrassingly, it emerged that it sold its stocks to Iraq in the 1980s.

BBC

It emerged that a Chinese company was suspected.

The Economist

But later it emerged that perhaps she had.

The New York Times - Sports

Later it emerged that people over 50 had some immunity.

Independent

It emerged that he had eaten the drug.

The Guardian

Yesterday it emerged that another eclipse festival had been cancelled.

The Guardian

Yesterday it emerged that Brook has left the show.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It emerged that G4S had not checked his records.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, it emerged that the suspect possessed far-right literature.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it emerged that" to introduce information that has recently become known, especially after some investigation or passage of time.

Common error

Avoid using "it emerged that" to present well-known or long-standing facts. This phrase is most effective when introducing newly uncovered information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it emerged that" functions as an introductory phrase, specifically a reporting clause. It introduces a statement of fact that has recently become known. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it emerged that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce newly discovered information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific reporting. While adaptable to formal writing, it maintains a neutral tone and should be reserved for presenting information that has recently come to light. Consider alternatives like "it came to light that" or "it was revealed that" to subtly alter the emphasis, but avoid using it for established facts. With its high frequency and clear communicative purpose, mastering the use of "it emerged that" will improve the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it came to light that

Emphasizes the process of something becoming known, often after investigation.

it was revealed that

Highlights the act of unveiling something previously hidden.

it transpired that

Suggests a gradual unfolding of events leading to a discovery.

it became apparent that

Focuses on the increasing clarity or obviousness of a situation.

it was discovered that

Stresses the finding of something previously unknown or unnoticed.

it was found that

Similar to 'discovered', but can also refer to research findings.

it was understood that

Indicates a developing comprehension of a situation or fact.

it was learned that

Highlights the acquisition of new information.

the truth came out that

Emphasizes the revealing of something previously concealed or dishonest.

as it turned out

Implies a result that was unexpected or different from what was anticipated.

FAQs

What does "it emerged that" mean?

The phrase "it emerged that" signifies that something has recently become known or apparent, often after a period of obscurity or investigation. It's used to introduce new information that has come to light.

How can I use "it emerged that" in a sentence?

Use "it emerged that" to introduce a newly discovered fact or development. For example, "It emerged that the company had been concealing crucial financial data."

What are some alternatives to "it emerged that"?

Alternatives include "it came to light that", "it was revealed that", or "it transpired that", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is "it emerged that" formal or informal?

"It emerged that" is generally considered suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, such as news reporting, academic writing, and professional communication. It's less common in very informal conversation.