they discovered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they discovered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of finding or uncovering something previously unknown or hidden. Example: "After months of research, they discovered a new species of plant in the rainforest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They discovered the pigs accidentally.

The New York Times - Food

Instead, they discovered the opposite.

The New York Times

They discovered an interesting pattern.

The New York Times

Are they discovered or created?

Encyclopedia Britannica

What they discovered was startling.

The New York Times

They discovered soaring chutes everywhere.

The New Yorker

They discovered both.

Cornell University

What have they discovered?

The New Yorker

They discovered it.

The Guardian - Film

They discovered bulimia!

The Guardian - Travel

What they discovered startled the V.C.'s.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they discovered", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, especially in complex sentences or longer paragraphs. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "they discovered" when the discovery was already known or widely accepted. Use a phrase like "they confirmed" or "they rediscovered" instead to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they discovered" typically functions as a verb phrase introducing a new finding, realization, or understanding. As supported by Ludwig, it's commonly used to present information that was previously unknown.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they discovered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for introducing new findings or realizations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as a verb phrase across various contexts, with a notable presence in news, academic writing and science. To ensure clarity, it's important to clearly identify the subject "they". Alternatives include "they found", "they realized", and "they uncovered". Avoid using "they discovered" if the information was known already. It's a useful phrase for presenting objective information and can be easily incorporated into various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they found

Replaces "discovered" with a more common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

they uncovered

Suggests revealing something that was previously hidden or obscured.

they realized

Shifts the focus to understanding or becoming aware of something, rather than just finding it.

they came to understand

Highlights the process of gradually gaining comprehension.

they noticed

Implies a more casual or observational discovery, rather than a deliberate search.

they stumbled upon

Indicates an accidental or unexpected discovery.

they learned

Focuses on gaining knowledge through experience or study.

they detected

Emphasizes the perception or sensing of something, often through specific means.

they ascertained

Implies a formal or investigative process of finding something out.

it was revealed that they

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the revealing of information.

FAQs

How can I use "they discovered" in a sentence?

You can use "they discovered" to introduce a finding or realization made by a group of people. For example, "After years of research, "they discovered" a cure for the disease".

What is a good alternative to "they discovered"?

Alternatives to "they discovered" include "they found", "they uncovered", or "they realized". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "they discovered"?

It's best to avoid "they discovered" if the information was already known or if the "discovery" is more of a confirmation. In such cases, phrases like "they confirmed" or "they rediscovered" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "they discovered" and "they invented"?

"They discovered" refers to finding something that already exists, whereas "they invented" refers to creating something new. For instance, scientists might discover a new species, but they invent a new technology.