it was exposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was exposed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was revealed or made visible, often in a context of uncovering information or a situation. Example: "The truth about the company's financial practices was exposed during the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The effort he undertook looked almost amateurish as it was exposed in its full detail by emails shown to jurors.

The Washington Post

American slavery was a special case: by surviving the Enlightenment, it was exposed in all its venality.

The New York Times - Arts

Implanted on the land bridge between Africa and Asia, it was exposed to crosscurrents of foreign thought throughout its history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was celebrated for its rich, distinctive look and for being particular about how it was exposed.

The Washington Post

Marc Abizeid: And it was exposed?

University of California, Berkeley

It was exposed as fake blood, out of a capsule.

The New York Times - Sports

There, for the first time, it was exposed to the elements.

The New York Times - Arts

The network existed for seven years before it was exposed by British intelligence.

The New York Times

"Rebounding is an area we have a problem in and today it was exposed," Boeheim said.

The New York Times - Sports

The country's nuclear programme remained secret until it was exposed more than a decade ago.

The Guardian

But this time it was exposed by a video made by an activist group.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was exposed" when you want to emphasize that something previously hidden or unknown has been revealed. Ensure the context clearly indicates what was being hidden and who or what exposed it.

Common error

While "it was exposed" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider rewriting the sentence in active voice if appropriate. For example, instead of "it was exposed by the investigation", try "the investigation exposed it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was exposed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (the 'it') underwent the action of being revealed or uncovered. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts, from uncovering secrets to revealing vulnerabilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was exposed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to indicate that something previously hidden or unknown has been brought to light. Ludwig's analysis, along with a plethora of examples, underscores its widespread application across diverse fields such as news, science, and general discourse. While generally neutral in tone, careful consideration should be given to ensure the active voice is not a better alternative, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. Understanding the nuances of its usage, as highlighted in this guide, enables effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was revealed

Emphasizes the act of making something known, often after being concealed.

it was uncovered

Highlights the process of discovering something, often implying effort or investigation.

it was disclosed

Focuses on the formal or official release of information.

it was unveiled

Suggests a grand or ceremonial revelation.

it came to light

Indicates that something became known, often passively or unexpectedly.

it was brought to light

Similar to 'it came to light', but emphasizes the action of someone making it known.

it was discovered

Highlights the finding of something previously unknown or hidden.

it was made public

Focuses on the act of sharing information with a wider audience.

it was brought into the open

Implies a deliberate act of revealing something that was previously secret.

the truth was revealed

Specifically emphasizes the revelation of truth, often after deception or concealment.

FAQs

How can I use "it was exposed" in a sentence?

You can use "it was exposed" to indicate that something previously hidden or unknown has been revealed. For example: "The scandal "it was exposed" after a thorough investigation".

What can I say instead of "it was exposed"?

You can use alternatives like "it was revealed", "it was uncovered", or "it came to light" depending on the specific context.

Is "it was exposed" formal or informal?

"It was exposed" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "it was disclosed" might be preferred in certain situations.

What's the difference between "it was exposed" and "it became exposed"?

"It was exposed" implies an external force or action caused something to be revealed, whereas "it became exposed" suggests a more gradual or passive process. For instance, "The fraud "it was exposed" by a whistleblower" versus "The wires became "it became exposed" due to erosion".