reveals itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reveals itself" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something or someone becoming apparent or known. Example: The true nature of the situation slowly reveals itself as more information is uncovered.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

With Joni, an obvious route reveals itself.

The New Yorker

The future reveals itself in mysterious ways.

The New York Times

"It reveals itself over time," she said.

The New York Times

Spycraft reveals itself as stagecraft.

The New York Times

In private, though, Harper's swagger reveals itself.

The New York Times - Sports

Meaning reveals itself in the telling.

The Guardian - Opinion

The impact of death reveals itself slowly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Every night something else reveals itself".

The New York Times - Magazine

Go there, though, and the truth soon reveals itself.

The Guardian

The past reveals itself to have a plot.

The New Yorker

IT IS not a place where misery reveals itself immediately.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reveals itself" when you want to emphasize a gradual or unfolding discovery of something. It's particularly effective when describing processes, mysteries, or the development of a situation over time.

Common error

Avoid using "reveals itself" to describe actions that are immediate or instantaneous. It implies a process of unveiling, so it's less suitable for things that happen all at once. For instance, don't say "The door reveals itself open" but instead "The door opens".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reveals itself" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the action of something becoming known or apparent. It often describes a process or gradual unfolding, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reveals itself" is a versatile and frequently used expression in the English language. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its usage across various contexts, predominantly in news media, scientific writing, and encyclopedic entries. The phrase effectively conveys a gradual unveiling or discovery, suggesting a process rather than an instantaneous event. While generally neutral in tone, it’s important to avoid using "reveals itself" to describe actions that are immediate, as it implies a progressive unfolding. Semantically related alternatives include "becomes apparent", "manifests itself", and "comes to light", each offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes apparent

Focuses on the act of becoming clear or visible, shifting the emphasis from the agent of revelation to the state of being revealed.

manifests itself

Emphasizes the outward demonstration or embodiment of something previously unseen or unknown.

unveils itself

Suggests a deliberate or gradual removal of a covering, either literal or figurative, to expose something.

comes to light

Highlights the surfacing or discovery of something previously hidden or obscure.

emerges

Indicates a gradual appearance or development from a concealed or less distinct state.

is disclosed

Implies the revealing of information or facts that were previously confidential or private.

is uncovered

Similar to "comes to light", but with a stronger sense of active investigation or discovery.

is exposed

Suggests the revelation of something that was intentionally concealed, often with negative connotations.

presents itself

Focuses on the way something appears or is offered, rather than necessarily implying a prior state of being hidden.

becomes known

Simple and direct alternative indicating information is revealed

FAQs

How can I use "reveals itself" in a sentence?

The phrase "reveals itself" is used to describe something that becomes apparent or known gradually. For example, "The true extent of the damage only "reveals itself" over time" or "The hidden meaning of the poem "reveals itself" upon closer reading."

What can I say instead of "reveals itself"?

You can use alternatives like "becomes apparent", "manifests itself", or "comes to light" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "reveals itself" formal or informal?

"Reveals itself" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall style of the writing.

What's the difference between "reveals itself" and "is revealed"?

"Reveals itself" implies a process or action originating from the subject, whereas "is revealed" suggests an external force or agent is doing the revealing. "The truth reveals itself" suggests the truth is gradually becoming known on its own, while "The truth is revealed" suggests someone or something is actively disclosing it.