once it came to light that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once it came to light that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that new information has been revealed or discovered, often after a period of uncertainty or secrecy. Example: "Once it came to light that the company had been misreporting its earnings, the stock price plummeted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For example, reps identified a website timeout issue that was frustrating customers and leading to increased calls a problem that was rapidly fixed once it came to light.

Harvard Business Review

This year, a similar assignment was withdrawn from a pastor with a comparable record, once it came to light.

The New York Times

What do you do with a shameful secret, once it comes to light?

The New Yorker

Mark Hurd, the former chief executive of Hewlett-Packard lost his job in 2010 after it came to light that he once had a personal relationship with a female marketing contractor who had been an actress in risqué movies.

The New York Times

"Once you get that one-on-one, where the case's facts come to light, that's when individual deals come".

Huffington Post

"Once again, I reiterate that Lothian and Borders Police remain committed to pursuing any new information which comes to light that could help recover Suzanne".

BBC

Advanced methodologies come to light that can aid drug discovery.

Drug Discovery Today

It later came to light that she once covered for him when he attempted an operation drunk - going so far as to date the lesbian anesthetist present during the surgery in order to buy her silence.

Wikipedia

It has come to light that A.T.F.

The New York Times

Vioxx got pulled off the market once this came to light in 2004.

Stanford University

The same officer concluded that while his friend was right to offer his resignation once the extramarital affair with Ms Broadwell had come to light, that "the president shouldn't have accepted it".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "after it was revealed that" for variety and to avoid repetition in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "once it came to light that" in very informal or casual settings. It can sound overly formal or stilted; simpler phrases may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once it came to light that" functions as a temporal conjunction or connector. It introduces a subordinate clause indicating when certain information became known. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis and examples, demonstrating its use to set a time frame for subsequent events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once it came to light that" serves as a temporal connector, introducing information that has recently been revealed. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct. While primarily found in news and media contexts, its formality leans towards neutral to formal, fitting comfortably in professional and academic settings as well. When aiming for simpler language, consider alternatives like "after it was revealed that" or "when it became known that".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after it was revealed that

Focuses on the act of revelation, emphasizing the uncovering of information.

following the revelation that

Highlights the sequence of events, with the revelation preceding subsequent actions.

once it was discovered that

Emphasizes the finding or uncovering of something previously unknown.

subsequent to the discovery that

Formally indicates a temporal relationship after a discovery is made.

when it became known that

Focuses on the point in time when the information transitioned from unknown to known.

after the disclosure that

Highlights the act of making something public that was previously private.

in the wake of the revelation that

Indicates that something happens as a consequence of a revelation.

as soon as it was evident that

Emphasizes the immediacy of the realization.

upon the exposure of

Emphasizes the act of uncovering something hidden, often with negative connotations.

following the uncovering of

Stresses the process of making something previously concealed now visible or known.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "once it came to light that"?

You can use alternatives like "after it was revealed that", "when it became known that", or "following the discovery that" depending on the context.

How to use "once it came to light that" in a sentence?

"Once it came to light that" introduces a clause revealing previously unknown information: "Once it came to light that the company was in debt, investors quickly sold their shares."

What is the difference between "once it came to light that" and "after it was discovered that"?

Both phrases indicate a point of discovery, but "once it came to light that" often implies a more gradual or incidental unveiling of information, while "after it was discovered that" suggests a more deliberate or active finding.

Is "once it came to light that" formal or informal?

The phrase "once it came to light that" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "when we found out that" might be more appropriate.