revealed themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "revealed themselves" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone's true thoughts, feelings, or intentions become known or evident. Example: During the trial, the defendant's lies were exposed and his true character was revealed to the jury, ultimately leading to his conviction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Connections and echoes revealed themselves.

The Guardian - Music

Mountains revealed themselves in every direction.

The Guardian - Travel

Changes revealed themselves one at a time.

The Washington Post

When men revealed themselves, they would do so under wraps.

The New York Times - Arts

But if the fans were well behaved, the players soon revealed themselves to be anything but.

The Guardian - Sport

My own metabolism slowed down with them, and things hidden from a restless eye revealed themselves.

The New Yorker

But his devious nature, his opportunism and his audacity soon revealed themselves.

The Guardian - Books

In their physical high jinks, the great clowns revealed themselves — their lusts, their terrors, their fury.

The New Yorker

Slowly the shape and dimensions of the Ness of Brodgar site revealed themselves.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Cultures reveal themselves online.

The New York Times

"When people say that, they reveal themselves.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "revealed themselves" when describing a gradual or unfolding process of something becoming known or apparent. For example, "Over time, the true extent of the damage revealed themselves."

Common error

Avoid using "revealed themselves" when the subject is not performing the action of revealing. For example, instead of "The secret revealed themselves," use "The secret was revealed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "revealed themselves" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of becoming known or apparent. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a process where something previously hidden or unclear becomes visible or evident.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "revealed themselves" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe how something becomes known or apparent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, but also in science and academia. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the subject is plural and that the context implies a process of gradual unfolding. While numerous alternatives exist, the best choice will depend on the specific nuance you wish to convey. With the guidance from Ludwig, you can confidently and correctly incorporate "revealed themselves" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became apparent

Emphasizes the process of something becoming clear or obvious.

came to light

Focuses on the idea of something previously hidden now being discovered.

were disclosed

Highlights the act of making something known, often something confidential.

were unveiled

Suggests a formal or ceremonial revealing of something.

manifested

Implies a more gradual or natural process of becoming visible or evident.

came into view

Focuses on the physical appearance or visibility of something.

unfolded

Suggests a sequential revealing of events or details.

were exposed

Highlights the uncovering of something, often something negative or scandalous.

were discovered

Emphasizes the finding or learning of something previously unknown.

became evident

Similar to "became apparent" but can also refer to proof or evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "revealed themselves" in a sentence?

Use "revealed themselves" to describe how something, often previously hidden or unknown, became apparent. For example, "The flaws in the plan revealed themselves during the testing phase."

What are some alternatives to "revealed themselves"?

You can use alternatives like "became apparent", "came to light", or "were disclosed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'revealed itself' instead of "revealed themselves"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "revealed itself" for singular subjects and "revealed themselves" for plural subjects. For instance, "The problem revealed itself," versus, "The problems revealed themselves."

What's the difference between "revealed themselves" and "exposed themselves"?

"Revealed themselves" typically implies a more neutral or gradual process of becoming known, while "exposed themselves" often suggests a more deliberate or scandalous uncovering of something, usually negative.