it was unearthed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was unearthed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the discovery or revelation of something that was previously hidden or buried, often in an archaeological or metaphorical context. Example: "After years of excavation, it was unearthed that the ancient civilization had advanced technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

The 900-year-old church was built to inspire humanity by its size and magnificence, a feat the dinosaur managed when it was unearthed in 1898, four decades after the Origin of Species.

The Guardian

Ms. Cayen had restored her childhood dollhouse after it was unearthed in her mother's barn upstate.

The New York Times

It was unearthed by Jane Baxter, who works with me on this column.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The limestone circle, 38 feet across, caused a great fuss when it was unearthed five years ago.

The New York Times - Travel

Some scholars believe it was unearthed not in the former Antioch, but in a Syrian village, Kaper Koraon (now Kurin), to the south.

The New York Times

But in 1879 it was unearthed by diggers on an expedition to Iraq sponsored by the British Museum, and became one of the museum's most prized artifacts.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The discovery of a Colonial-era wall in Battery Park has presented the city with a new set of questions: how much of the wall should be removed from the ground, where should it be displayed once it is unearthed, and who is going to pay for the preservation effort?

The New York Times

So it's telling that Google is not out-and-out denying the report — suggesting the company has indeed found something via its internal investigation, though isn't ready to go public with whatever it's unearthed as yet.

TechCrunch

We're led to believe that this is the case until it's unearthed that Bud's girlfriend, Sweetie Les Art (that's probably my favorite name of the entire series), is actually the Dragon.

Huffington Post

"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

It is believed the haul was unearthed in 1811 in Backworth, North Tyneside.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was unearthed" when you want to emphasize the process of uncovering something that was previously hidden or buried, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The ancient artifact was unearthed during the excavation."

Common error

Avoid using "it was unearthed" too casually in contexts where simpler alternatives like "discovered" or "found" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was unearthed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that "it" (some object, information, or fact) was the recipient of the action of being 'unearthed'. Ludwig provides examples showing this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was unearthed" is a grammatically sound and fairly common passive construction used to describe the discovery or revelation of something that was previously hidden or unknown. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase finds frequent use in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While alternatives like "it was discovered" or "it was revealed" exist, "it was unearthed" carries a specific connotation of a deliberate or effortful uncovering process. When using the phrase, consider its slightly formal tone and reserve it for contexts where emphasizing the 'unearthing' aspect is relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was discovered

Focuses on the act of finding something, without necessarily implying it was hidden.

it was revealed

Emphasizes the unveiling of something previously secret or unknown.

it was uncovered

Implies the removal of a covering to expose something.

it was found

A more general term for locating something.

it was excavated

Specifically refers to digging something out of the ground.

it came to light

Indicates that something became known publicly.

it was brought to light

Similar to 'it came to light' but with more emphasis on the action of revealing.

it was disclosed

Highlights the act of making something known, often confidentially.

it was exposed

Suggests the revealing of something scandalous or previously concealed.

it was brought to the surface

Implies that something hidden or submerged has been made visible or known.

FAQs

What does "it was unearthed" mean?

The phrase "it was unearthed" means that something was discovered, often after being hidden, buried, or lost. It implies a process of uncovering or bringing something to light.

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

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

Is "it was unearthed" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was unearthed" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While it can be used in news and media, it is less common in very informal conversation. The formality depends on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it was unearthed"?

Use "it was unearthed" when you want to emphasize that something was hidden or lost and then found or revealed. This is especially appropriate in archaeological or investigative contexts. For example, “The truth about the scandal it was revealed after a thorough investigation.”