unearth

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unearth' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an verb which means to discover or to bring something to the surface. For example: "By going through his grandmother's attic, he was able to unearth some fascinating artifacts from years past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather than acting as a tool to unearth the fragility of the human psyche, the effect is the equivalent to Dirty Dancing if Johnny Castle was crippled by, say, Tourette syndrome.

The Guardian - Film

Increasingly, teams are finding it cheaper to recruit players from abroad than to unearth them at home.

The Guardian - Sport

Oxford University Press analysed 120,421 entries to the competition to unearth insights into the lives of British children and the ways they use English.

The Guardian - Tech

However, if the tribunal does unearth evidence of any crimes committed, this material can be passed on to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

If the Dogs can unearth some reliable tall forwards, the likes of Bontempelli, Macrae, Liberatore, Wallis and Hrovat could be a scary proposition in the next couple of years.

The Guardian - Sport

On October 10th, Israeli tanks, bulldozers and helicopters entered the Yebna refugee camp there, ostensibly to unearth tunnels used to smuggle arms from Egypt.The Israelis found three tunnels but no arms.

The Economist

The message was that Mr Pieper and John Duerden, a former boss of Dictaphone who was hurriedly appointed chief executive in August, replacing Gaston Bastaiens, had the authority to unearth the truth and clean up the mess.

The Economist

Yet two other elements matter, too.First, 42 aims to unearth talent in the banlieues, or poor suburbs, and other places that do not fit into the French academic mould.

The Economist

The determination of many of history's losers to unearth their own past, supported by cadres of professional historians looking for new fields to conquer, has prompted a wave of revisionism.

The Economist

Investigative reporters in South Africa and Zambia unearth corruption and keep their rulers in check.

The Economist

Most of the other cases have been crimes, pure and simple, whose gravity was sometimes wilfully concealed by the expedient of shifting paedophile priests from one parish to another.The laity, who feel they might never have learned of any of this if the media, and especially the Boston Globe, had not laboured to unearth it, now passionately want the hierarchy to put its house in order.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unearth" when you want to convey the idea of discovering something that was previously hidden or buried, either literally or figuratively. It often implies a deliberate effort to find something.

Common error

Avoid using "unearth" when the discovery is straightforward or easily found. "Unearth" implies a degree of difficulty or effort in the finding. For simple findings, use "find" or "discover" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unearth" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It signifies the act of digging up something from the earth or, more figuratively, discovering something hidden or concealed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "unearth" is a versatile transitive verb commonly used to describe the act of discovering something previously hidden or unknown, often through deliberate effort. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While synonyms like "discover" and "uncover" exist, "unearth" uniquely conveys the sense of digging up or revealing something that was deliberately concealed. When writing, remember that "unearth" is best used when the discovery involves effort, investigation, or excavation. It’s a powerful word to add depth and meaning to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncover

Similar to "unearth", but can also refer to removing a literal covering.

ferret out

Implies a diligent and persistent search to find something.

dig up

Focuses more on the physical act of excavation or investigation to find something.

root out

Often used in the context of eliminating something undesirable or hidden.

reveal

Focuses on making something visible or known that was previously concealed.

bring to light

Emphasizes the act of making something public or known.

expose

Often used when revealing something scandalous or negative.

discover

A general term for finding something, without necessarily implying it was hidden.

detect

Implies finding something that is not easily noticeable.

ascertain

Suggests finding something out through investigation or research.

FAQs

How can I use "unearth" in a sentence?

You can use "unearth" to describe discovering something hidden, such as "The archaeologists hoped to "unearth" ancient artifacts" or "The journalist worked to "unearth" the truth about the scandal".

What is a good synonym for "unearth"?

A good synonym for "unearth" is "discover", "uncover", or "dig up", depending on the specific context. "Unearth" often implies a more deliberate or difficult search.

What's the difference between "unearth" and "discover"?

"Unearth" suggests a more intentional and possibly laborious process of finding something that was hidden or buried, while "discover" is a more general term for finding something, whether intentionally or by chance.

Is it correct to use "unearth" in a figurative sense?

Yes, "unearth" can be used figuratively to describe uncovering information or details that were previously hidden or unknown, as in "He tried to "unearth" the reasons behind the company's failure".