needs to be discovered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be discovered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is not yet known or understood and requires exploration or investigation. Example: "The hidden potential of this technology needs to be discovered for it to be fully utilized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"It's a great museum and a treasure that needs to be discovered.

The New York Times - Arts

A new batch of potential underwear models and fragrance pitchmen needs to be discovered.

The New York Times

"What is the actual use for humans still needs to be discovered," he said.

The New York Times - Science

What happens once you get below that elite upper crust is what needs to be discovered.

The Guardian - Sport

It shows that the author has mentally categorized Guatemala as a "primitive" place that needs to be discovered by Westerners and helps feed the common perception in the United States that Guatemala is a "backward" country.

The New York Times - Travel

Becoming an opera singer takes time We live in a culture of quick fixes, instant gratification and the idea that talent is something that simply needs to be discovered and given a chance to shine.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"I don't need to be discovered," said Ms. Morgan, a fixture at the cafe since 1980.

The New York Times

But it did create a culture of fear around breast cancer, and led the public to believe that tumors needed to be discovered at the earliest possible moment.

The New York Times

Oriel Securities cut its recommendation from add to reduce, saying: Darwin looks like a challenging development given the water depth and distance from the Falklands and we see that further resources need to be discovered to move this project forwards.

The Guardian - Business

It was almost as if addiction needed to be discovered by the West Coast hippie elite before it was acknowledged as either a problem or a topic for polite songwriterly investigation.

Independent

They work, rather, with sources who may be scared, who probably know only part of the story, who may have their own agendas that need to be discovered and taken into account.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "needs to be discovered" when you want to emphasize that something is currently unknown or hidden and requires exploration, research, or investigation to be revealed. For example, "The underlying cause of the disease needs to be discovered to develop effective treatments."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "needs to be discovered" when a more direct, active construction would be clearer and more impactful. For example, instead of "The solution needs to be discovered by researchers", consider "Researchers need to discover the solution".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be discovered" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that something requires an action to reveal or find it. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is widely used across various domains to express that a certain fact, solution, or potential is currently unknown and requires exploration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to be discovered" is a versatile expression used to convey the necessity of uncovering something currently unknown. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in both scientific and news contexts. While the phrase is appropriate for various situations, it's essential to use it consciously and avoid overusing the passive voice. Alternatives such as "remains to be found" or "must be uncovered" can provide a fresh perspective. In summary, "needs to be discovered" is a valid and useful phrase when used thoughtfully and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains to be found

Focuses on the act of finding something that is currently missing or unknown.

must be uncovered

Emphasizes the importance of revealing something that is hidden or concealed.

warrants exploration

Highlights the necessity of investigating something further.

requires revelation

Suggests that something needs to be brought to light or made known.

demands unveiling

Stresses the urgency of making something visible or known.

awaits detection

Highlights that something is waiting to be noticed or found.

is yet to be unearthed

Emphasizes that something is buried or hidden and needs to be dug up.

is still unproven

Focuses on the lack of evidence or verification for something.

remains enigmatic

Highlights the mysterious or puzzling nature of something.

begs investigation

Highlights the need for formal inquiry into something.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to be discovered" in a sentence?

Use "needs to be discovered" to express that something is currently unknown and requires investigation or exploration. For example, "The potential benefits of this new technology "needs to be discovered" through further research."

What are some alternatives to "needs to be discovered"?

Alternatives include phrases like "remains to be found", "must be uncovered", or "warrants exploration", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "needs to be discovered"?

While "needs to be discovered" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, consider using the active voice for a more direct and impactful statement. For example, instead of "The truth needs to be discovered", try "Someone needs to discover the truth".

In what contexts is "needs to be discovered" most appropriate?

"Needs to be discovered" is suitable in contexts where something is unknown and requires active investigation or exploration, such as in scientific research, historical inquiry, or problem-solving.