to be discovered

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be discovered" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used in the passive voice to indicate that something or someone has not yet been found or revealed. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing a hidden secret, a new scientific breakthrough, or a hidden talent. Example: The ancient city was thought to have been lost forever, but it was recently discovered by archaeologists.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others remain to be discovered.

The New York Times - Arts

But documents began to be discovered.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The culprit is yet to be discovered.

The New York Times

But all this is to be discovered.

Independent

Is she still to be discovered?

The New Yorker

Wait to be discovered.

The New York Times

What remains to be discovered?

The Guardian - Books

New mutations continue to be discovered.

The New York Times - Health

It was waiting to be discovered.

The New York Times

Boarding lounges are places to be discovered.

The New Yorker

Coelocentrum to be discovered in the future.

Botanical Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be discovered" in contexts where the emphasis is on the potential for something new or hidden to be revealed. For instance, "New planets are waiting "to be discovered" by future telescopes".

Common error

Avoid rewriting passive sentences using "to be discovered" into active voice if it obscures the meaning or actor. For example, instead of "Scientists will discover the cure", consider keeping "The cure is "to be discovered" by scientists" if highlighting the unknown is more important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be discovered" functions as a passive infinitive, often used to describe something that is awaiting revelation or detection. Ludwig AI states that it’s primarily employed in passive constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be discovered" is a frequently used passive infinitive that describes something yet to be found or revealed. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and appropriate in a variety of contexts, prominently in both scientific and journalistic writing. The phrase carries a neutral tone and emphasizes the potential for future finding. When using the phrase, ensure that the context emphasizes the thing that can be found and the potential aspect of this finding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet to be uncovered

Emphasizes the remaining state of being hidden, similar to "to be discovered" but focuses on the act of uncovering.

waiting to be revealed

Highlights the aspect of anticipation and eventual disclosure.

destined to be found

Implies a predetermined fate of being located.

still unknown

Focuses on the current lack of knowledge, rather than the act of discovery.

lies hidden

Emphasizes the concealed nature of something.

yet to come to light

Suggests eventual revelation or public awareness.

not yet brought to the surface

Stresses the idea of something being currently submerged or concealed.

needs to be unearthed

Highlights the effort required to find something, similar to excavation.

awaiting unveiling

Emphasizes the ceremony or process of revealing something.

remains unexposed

Focuses on the lack of exposure or disclosure.

FAQs

How can I use "to be discovered" in a sentence?

You can use "to be discovered" to indicate that something is yet to be found or revealed. For example, "A new species of insect is "to be discovered" in the rainforest".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to be discovered"?

Alternatives include "yet to be uncovered", "waiting to be revealed", or "destined to be found" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "to be discovered"?

The choice depends on the context. Passive voice (e.g., "The treasure is "to be discovered"") emphasizes the object being discovered. Active voice (e.g., "Someone will discover the treasure") emphasizes the discoverer.

What does it mean when something is described as "to be discovered"?

It means that the thing in question is currently unknown or hidden, but has the potential to be found or revealed in the future. For instance, "New applications of this technology are "to be discovered"" suggests further uses are possible but not yet known.