reveal

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "reveal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to make known something that was previously unknown or concealed. For example: "The autopsy report revealed the inmate died of natural causes".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Documents obtained under Right to Information (RTI) laws reveal that Carmody blindsided his colleagues with a public statement that he would decide who sat in the court of disputed returns (CDR) during a cliffhanger election result in February.

The Guardian

"I just can't reveal why it's that way, but this is not the beginning of Norman.

The Guardian - Film

It has taken six years to reveal the truth of what happened".

The Guardian - Business

When he asked the woman who had spoken to the Queen for her name, a friend standing with her urged her not to reveal it.

The Guardian

When you reveal that you are, in fact, describing Canberra, you may be met by looks of disbelief.

The Guardian - Travel

In fact, the report was about applications to obtain communications data, ie who, when, where and how communications were sent and received, not to intercept communications, which would reveal what was said or written.

The Guardian

But I'm happy to reveal that mine was Blade Runner (though it's far from the only one).

The Guardian - Film

But it does not reveal a problem with Muslim integration as such, or with too much immigration.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, employees were told about the size of their bonuses on Friday, and when the bank publishes its 2012 results on Tuesday, it is expected to reveal that it paid out up to £2bn in bonuses.

The Guardian - Business

The prosecution of a Swedish national accused of terrorist activities in Syria has collapsed at the Old Bailey after it became clear Britain's security and intelligence agencies would have been deeply embarrassed had a trial gone ahead, the Guardian can reveal.

The Guardian

The federal government has backed down on its plan to force young jobseekers to wait six months before accessing unemployment payments, budget papers will reveal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reveal" when you want to emphasize the act of uncovering or making something known that was previously hidden or obscure.

Common error

Avoid using "reveal" when you simply mean to suggest or indicate something. "Reveal" implies a deliberate act of uncovering, whereas 'suggest' implies a hint or implication.

Linguistic Context

Reveal functions primarily as a verb. It denotes the act of making something previously unknown or hidden, now known or visible. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts, affirming its role in conveying disclosure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reveal" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of making something known that was previously hidden. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and example sentences showcase its prevalence in news and media. Related terms include "uncover", "disclose", and "expose", each carrying nuances in meaning. While it's frequently employed in formal and neutral contexts, it's crucial to differentiate its usage from similar words such as 'suggest'. Therefore, remember to select the most appropriate vocabulary depending on the specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncover

Focuses more on discovering something hidden.

disclose

Emphasizes making information known, often of a sensitive nature.

disclose

Emphasis on making something publicly known.

divulge

Suggests revealing something private or secret.

expose

Implies uncovering something scandalous or harmful.

unveil

Often used when introducing something new or ceremoniously.

bring to light

Highlights the act of making something previously unknown now known.

make known

A more general way of saying to reveal, applicable in various situations.

bring out

implies making something noticeable

communicate

implies making known something by any means

FAQs

How to use "reveal" in a sentence?

The word "reveal" is used to describe the act of making something known or visible that was previously secret or hidden. For example: "The investigation "revealed" a pattern of fraudulent activity."

What can I say instead of "reveal"?

You can use alternatives like "uncover", "disclose", or "expose" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "reveal" or 'revel'?

"Reveal" means to make something known, while 'revel' means to enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way. They are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "reveal" and 'indicate'?

"Reveal" implies a direct uncovering of information, whereas 'indicate' suggests a hint or indirect sign. The investigation "revealed" the truth vs. the evidence "indicated" a possibility.