they discovered that

USAGE SUMMARY

"they discovered that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause that explains something new that the speakers/subjects have found out. Example: They discovered that the source of the strange noise was coming from the basement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But they discovered that gene therapy may be irreversible.

The New York Times - Health

They discovered that vaccinia produces two proteins right after it infects a cell.

Science Magazine

They discovered that our President is small.

The New Yorker

They discovered that it does.

Stanford University

"They discovered that smiling makes money".

The New York Times

When they investigated, they discovered that Sharkey had escaped.

The New Yorker

They discovered that by doing so they remained healthier.

The Economist

They discovered that it is a helper gene.

The New York Times - Health

Instead, they discovered that consistent non-Euclidean geometries exist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, they discovered that Inuk's blood was A positive.

The New York Times - Science

When police approached, they discovered that he'd shot himself.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they discovered that" to introduce a new finding or realization, ensuring the subject of 'they' is clearly defined and their discovery is significant to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "they discovered that" without clearly identifying who 'they' refers to; ensure the subject is evident to prevent ambiguity and maintain clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they discovered that" functions as a sentence introducer, signaling the revelation of new information. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, from scientific findings to historical revelations, consistently presenting a novel discovery.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they discovered that" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to introduce new findings or realizations in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, and its prevalence across reputable sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and academic institutions underscores its reliability. While generally neutral in tone, its formality can be adjusted with synonyms depending on the writing context. Remember to ensure clarity in subject reference to avoid ambiguity and maximize the impact of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they realized that

Focuses on the process of understanding after a period of consideration or observation.

it was found that

Emphasizes the finding itself, often in a more formal or scientific context, de-emphasizing the actor.

it turned out that

Suggests an unexpected or surprising outcome.

they came to the conclusion that

Highlights a reasoned judgment after an investigation or analysis.

they noticed that

A more casual way of saying they became aware of something.

they ascertained that

Implies a careful and thorough process of finding something out.

they observed that

Focuses on the act of noticing something, often through careful watching or studying.

they understood that

Focuses on comprehension rather than just the act of discovery.

the investigation revealed that

Highlights that discovery was a direct result of inquiry.

research indicated that

Implies that findings are based on structured scientific data.

FAQs

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

Use "they discovered that" to introduce a finding, ensuring the sentence provides context about what was discovered and why it's significant. For example, "They discovered that the ancient manuscript contained previously unknown historical details".

What are some alternatives to "they discovered that"?

Alternatives include "they realized that", "it was found that", or "they observed that", each conveying a slightly different nuance in the finding or realization.

Is it appropriate to use "they discovered that" in formal writing?

Yes, "they discovered that" is appropriate for formal writing as long as the context is clear and the source of the discovery is credible. More formal alternatives might include "research indicated that" or "the investigation revealed that" for academic or scientific contexts.

What's the difference between "they found that" and "they discovered that"?

While similar, "they found that" often implies locating something already known to exist, whereas "they discovered that" suggests uncovering something entirely new or previously unknown. For instance, "they found that the keys were in the drawer" versus "they discovered that" the planet had a previously unknown atmosphere.