to be unearthed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be unearthed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is discovered or revealed, often in the context of archaeological finds or uncovering hidden information. Example: "The ancient artifacts were buried for centuries, waiting to be unearthed by future generations of archaeologists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts & Culture

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What secrets have yet to be unearthed?

The New York Times

We expect huge numbers of bodies to be unearthed".

Independent

The more that turn up, the more I'm sure there is to be unearthed.

The New York Times

Millions watched and waited, over six weeks, for the mole to be unearthed.

The New Yorker

Could there be a body in the garden, about to be unearthed by dun-colored paws?

The New York Times - Books

The anniversary festivities included burying time capsules to be unearthed 50 years from now.

The New York Times

It is rare for a major scam involving a corporation to be unearthed exclusively through a journalistic investigation.

The New York Times

More evidence of crimes is likely to be unearthed as the self-proclaimed caliphate recedes into the desert.

The Guardian

"Issuing fines after the latest scandal happens to be unearthed will not fundamentally change the relationship between banks and society.

The Guardian - Business

Halliwell led police first to O'Callaghan's body and then to the field where Godden's remains were to be unearthed.

The Guardian

The rates in Outer London, meanwhile, had risen, for which there could be several reasons yet to be unearthed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the metaphorical weight: this phrase is excellent for investigative journalism or historical research where the 'digging' is through archives rather than soil.

Common error

Writers sometimes use the phrase for objects that were never actually hidden or 'buried'. For example, do not say a new movie is 'waiting to be unearthed' if it was just completed; use "to be released" or "to be screened" instead. Reserve the phrase for things that have been lost or kept out of sight for a period of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be unearthed" functions as a passive infinitive. It is typically used as a complement to a noun (e.g., "secrets to be unearthed") or as part of a predicate after verbs like "wait", "remain" or "expect". In the examples provided by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in the structure "yet to be unearthed" to indicate unfinished discovery.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Arts & Culture

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be unearthed" is a highly effective linguistic tool for describing the revelation of things that were once hidden. Ludwig AI shows a wealth of examples ranging from physical archaeological finds to metaphorical corporate scandals and scientific breakthroughs. It is most frequently found in high-quality journalism and scientific discourse, where its evocative nature adds depth to the act of discovery. Whether you are writing about a prehistoric fossil or a secret diary, using "to be unearthed" signals to the reader that something valuable or significant is emerging from obscurity. It is grammatically robust and widely accepted as a standard way to express potential discovery in a passive voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be revealed

The most versatile and common alternative for making something known.

to be discovered

Directly focuses on the act of finding something previously unknown.

to be brought to light

An idiomatic expression highlighting the transition from darkness/secrecy to visibility.

to be excavated

A more technical term specifically used for archaeological or physical digging.

to be exposed

Often carries a connotation of revealing something negative or scandalous.

to be disclosed

More formal and typically used for information, documents or legal facts.

to be unveiled

Suggests a more ceremonial or intentional presentation of something new.

to be found

A simpler, more direct way to describe discovery.

to be identified

Focuses on determining the nature or identity of something discovered.

to be dug up

A more informal or literal version of unearthing.

FAQs

How do I use "to be unearthed" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something waiting to be found, such as: "The archaeological site contains many treasures still waiting "to be unearthed"."

What is a more formal way to say "to be unearthed"?

Depending on the context, you might use "to be disclosed" for information or "to be excavated" for physical objects.

Can "to be unearthed" be used for secrets?

Yes, it is very common in journalism to use it metaphorically, as in: "The investigation led to new scandals that were yet "to be revealed" or "to be unearthed"."

Is it "to be unearthed" or "to be discovered"?

Both are correct. "to be unearthed" is often more evocative and suggests something was buried or hidden, while "to be discovered" is more neutral and general.