uncovering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'uncovering' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of discovering something that was previously hidden or unknown. For example: "My research into the history of the town led to the uncovering of many fascinating stories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He did his job too well for the liking of some, uncovering a scandal at the highest level.

The Guardian

If CAT was undermining state policy by uncovering cases of torture, then torture itself must be state policy But in December 2014, the prosecutor for the Nizhny Novgorod region, Oleg Panasenko, ordered the organisation to register as a "foreign agent", claiming it had tried to change state policy by broadcasting information about its campaigns and activities.

The Guardian

Parents are often disinclined to reveal their deception, despite the inevitability of their child eventually uncovering the fiction.

The Guardian - Opinion

The MPI also does a better job of uncovering long-term trends.

The Economist

But private media are proving increasingly aggressive in uncovering wrongdoing in politics and business.

The Economist

Continental said that it would cut 1,200 jobs by the end of the year.See article: Flying the unfriendly skiesRyanair, an Irish no-frills carrier, intends to renegotiate the euro23.9m ($25.3m) it agreed to pay for a rival, Buzz, after uncovering the extent of its losses.

The Economist

During his time transforming Liechtenstein's bad-boy image, he was involved in the return of assets owned by the regime of Saddam Hussein to the new Iraqi government, as well as in uncovering the Siemens bribery scandal.

The Economist

News coming from America overnight that one of the two Paris gunmen underwent training in Yemen with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) reinforced his point.Mr Parker's second theme was that, while Britain's security services (MI5, MI6, GCHQ and the police) were uncovering wave after wave of terrorist plots, they were overstretched and could not guarantee this success would continue.

The Economist

The strip does not follow any set formula but takes on serious issues.In previous escapades the professor barely survived after uncovering an ancient burial ground in Japan's hinterland.

The Economist

At the other extreme, such moments are also possible when a nation feels so secure that it can discuss past misdeeds without fearing for its future existence: think of the British, French and Belgian historians now uncovering murky chapters of the colonial era.

The Economist

Some Orthodox Jews, Muslim women and Sikhs, for instance, believe themselves to be religiously forbidden from uncovering their heads in public; permitting them to remain covered while others are legally required to uncover their heads does not significantly burden society.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "uncovering" when you want to emphasize the process of revealing something that was previously hidden or unknown, especially through investigation or research.

Common error

While "uncovering" is widely applicable, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider using simpler alternatives like "finding out" or "discovering" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "uncovering" is that of a present participle or a gerund. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes the act of revealing something previously hidden. It can act as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "they are uncovering") or as a noun (e.g., "the uncovering of the plot").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncovering" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a present participle or gerund, denoting the act of revealing something previously hidden. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While grammatically sound and very common, especially in News & Media contexts, its formality should be considered in casual settings. Alternatives like "revealing" or "disclosing" may be suitable substitutes depending on the nuance you wish to convey. The prevalence of "uncovering" in reputable sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its reliability and acceptability in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealing

This term focuses on making something known, often intentionally.

disclosing

This alternative implies making information public, especially something confidential.

exposing

This suggests revealing something discreditable or scandalous.

bringing to light

This idiom emphasizes revealing something that was previously secret.

unveiling

This term is often used for formally revealing something new.

digging up

Implies a thorough search to reveal something hidden.

detecting

This alternative implies discovering something not easily noticed.

ferreting out

This alternative suggests persistent searching and uncovering.

ascertaining

This suggests finding something out for certain.

finding out

This is a general term for discovering information.

FAQs

What does "uncovering" mean?

"Uncovering" refers to the act of revealing something previously hidden or unknown. It often implies an investigative or exploratory process.

What can I say instead of "uncovering"?

You can use alternatives like "revealing", "disclosing", or "exposing", depending on the specific context.

How do you use "uncovering" in a sentence?

"Uncovering" is often used as a present participle or gerund. For example, "The journalist is uncovering new evidence" or "The uncovering of the scandal led to major reforms."

Is "uncovering" a formal word?

"Uncovering" is generally considered a formal word, often used in news, academic, and professional contexts. In informal settings, consider using alternatives like "finding" or "discovering".