may be uncovered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be uncovered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of revealing or discovering something that was previously hidden or unknown. Example: "Through extensive research, new evidence may be uncovered that changes our understanding of the historical event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Lies may be uncovered only when there is a lot to gain or lose if the lie is discovered.

The Guardian

If the SIS is not working in time, the reactor core may be uncovered and the reactor vessel (RV) may be damaged.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

The results show that SHADD can be used to detect those architectural defects which may be uncovered during the application of conventional evaluation methods.

Advances in Engineering Software

While connections to international organisations may be uncovered, the demands of the videos are locally focused: liberation of Rohingya from the camps, restoration of citizenship and property.

The Guardian

One crucial issue in the talks was General Motors' insistence that it be protected from liability for any of Daewoo Motor's debts that may be uncovered after a final contract is signed.

The New York Times

In recent years, a major issue that has arisen is that data publicly published or shared by organizations may lead to privacy threats since sensitive or confidential information may be uncovered by data mining techniques.

Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"We may be uncovering even more of the historic waterfront," Mr. Sandiford said, sounding hopeful that he would.

The New York Times

Alternatively, the tumor phenotype may be uncovering a differential requirement for a more highly expressed Ets. Interestingly, similar to our findings, Sussan et al recently observed an inverse relationship between Ets2 gene copy number and tumor number in the ApcMin model, suggesting that Ets2 normally functions to restrict intestinal tumor formation [ 19].

BMC Cancer

Many other instances may never be uncovered.

The New York Times

The truth may never be uncovered.

The Guardian - Opinion

More bodies may still be uncovered in the days and weeks ahead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be uncovered" when discussing potential discoveries or revelations, particularly in research, investigations, or explorations where new information is expected to emerge. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being potentially revealed.

Common error

Avoid using "may be uncovered" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "might be found" or "could be revealed" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be uncovered" functions as a passive construction, indicating the potential for something previously hidden or unknown to be revealed or discovered. Ludwig's examples show its use across varied domains, highlighting its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be uncovered" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction, indicating the possibility of something hidden being revealed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Primarily found in science and news contexts, it maintains a formal register. For alternatives, consider "might be revealed" or "could be discovered". Remember to reserve its use for contexts that suit its formal tone to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be revealed

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a slightly weaker possibility of something being revealed.

could be discovered

Substitutes "uncovered" with "discovered", focusing on the act of finding something new.

can be brought to light

Emphasizes the act of making something known or public.

might come to light

Focuses on the emergence of something into public awareness.

can be found

Offers a more general alternative, simply indicating the possibility of being found.

may be detected

Implies a more technical or investigative process of finding something.

may be exposed

Suggests that something hidden is at risk of being revealed, often with negative connotations.

could be unearthed

Implies a process of digging or searching to reveal something hidden.

may become known

Focuses on the process of something becoming widely acknowledged.

might surface

Suggests something hidden is likely to appear or become evident.

FAQs

How to use "may be uncovered" in a sentence?

The phrase "may be uncovered" is used to indicate a possibility of something being revealed or discovered. For example: "New evidence "may be uncovered" during the investigation."

What can I say instead of "may be uncovered"?

You can use alternatives like "might be revealed", "could be discovered", or "can be brought to light" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "may be uncovered"?

It's appropriate to use "may be uncovered" in formal writing, research papers, or investigative reports when discussing the potential for new findings to emerge. It is suitable for contexts where uncovering something is a significant part of the communication.

What's the difference between "may be uncovered" and "might be uncovered"?

The difference between "may be uncovered" and "might be uncovered" is subtle. "May" suggests a slightly higher probability than "might", but in most contexts, they are interchangeable.