uncover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncover" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to revealing or discovering something that was previously hidden or unknown. Example: "The investigation aimed to uncover the truth behind the scandal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Although the investigation is in its early stages, we will take action to protect the public if we uncover evidence that could affect the safety of other rides at the park or elsewhere".

The Guardian

The Quizeum will uncover the stories behind some of the lesser known ones.

The Guardian

Even a renaissance at Man City was short-lived, and he eventually departed for Mexico, the land of legendary golden pyramids lost in the jungles just waiting for a hero to uncover them.

The Guardian - Sport

Investigators are likely to delve into Lubitz's personal life to uncover any clues about his mental state.

The Guardian

Related: Coricancha, the Incas' temple of the sun: a history of cities in 50 buildings, day 3 As an independent nation Indian archeologists have remained enchanted by the chance to uncover signs of the mythical Indraprastha.

The Guardian

Vaughn told the Sun-Times she remained at the scene of the shooting for a lengthy period of time and did not see the police uncover a weapon.

The Guardian

"The Oxbridge revolutionaries" had "battled for years to uncover the confidential documents" which did no more than "prove is that the prince is well-meaning, reasonable and polite".

The Guardian

Blacklisted workers have intensified their campaign to uncover the extent of secret police surveillance operations against them.

The Guardian

Journalists reporting on the federal government's asylum-seeker policies have been repeatedly referred to the police in attempts to uncover confidential sources and whistleblowers, a Guardian Australia investigation can reveal.

The Guardian

Using an array of 66 antennae that together make up the equivalent of a 10-mile-long telescope, it can uncover details with at least 10 times more resolution than the Hubble space telescope.

The Guardian - Travel

As Whedon points out, "We have gods, we have tech, we have aliens, and SHIELD's been around since at least world war two, so there's a lot of history there to explore, plenty to uncover and plenty of fallout for our team to have to deal with".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "uncover" when you want to emphasize the process of revealing something previously hidden, whether physically or figuratively.

Common error

Avoid using "uncover" when something is already obvious or in plain sight. "Uncover" implies a deliberate act of discovery.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "uncover" is as a transitive verb. It typically takes a direct object, indicating what is being revealed or discovered. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples where "uncover" is followed by a noun phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncover" functions primarily as a transitive verb, denoting the act of revealing something previously hidden or unknown. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, formal business, and scientific domains. While alternatives like "reveal" and "discover" exist, "uncover" often emphasizes the deliberate process of discovery. When employing "uncover", ensure its use aligns with contexts where something is truly being brought to light, avoiding its application to situations already obvious. Overall, understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reveal

Direct synonym, implying the act of making something known.

discover

Suggests finding something unexpectedly or while searching.

expose

Implies revealing something discreditable or previously concealed.

unearth

Often used when the discovery involves digging or investigation.

disclose

Formal term for making information public.

bring to light

Idiomatic expression for revealing information.

find out

A more informal way of saying discover or learn.

detect

Suggests identifying something not easily noticed.

ascertain

To find (something) out for certain; make sure of

dig up

Emphasizes the effort required to find something hidden.

FAQs

How can I use "uncover" in a sentence?

The verb "uncover" is versatile. You might say, "Investigators are trying to uncover new evidence" or "The archaeologist hoped to uncover ancient artifacts."

What is a good alternative to "uncover"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reveal", "discover", or "expose".

Is it more appropriate to "uncover" or "discover" a secret?

"Uncover" implies actively revealing something concealed, while "discover" suggests finding something, possibly by chance. "Uncover" is generally more fitting for secrets.

How does "uncover" differ from "reveal"?

"Reveal" is a direct synonym for "uncover", implying the act of making something known. However, "uncover" often suggests a more deliberate process of discovery. Think of "reveal" as a single action; think of "uncover" as an effort.