unearthing it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unearthing it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to discovering or revealing something that was hidden or unknown. For example, "The archaeologists were unearthing it slowly, layer by layer." Alternative expressions include "discovering it," "revealing it," and "digging it up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Over the years, Hill added, he has playfully threatened Woods with unearthing it.

The New York Times - Sports

Donna Frieze has done a remarkable job unearthing it from the archives and bringing it to the world". Peter Balakian, author of The Black Dog of Fate and The Burning Tigris: The Armenian Genocide and America's Response.

Yale University

Meloy does her research — either that, or she's lived many lives — but it never feels as if she included information just because, by God, she spent time unearthing it and now wants to make use of her hard work.

The New York Times - Books

It's called Red Star OS, and we can thank a Russian student for unearthing it for us.

TechCrunch

It nearly didn't come to be —McKenna and Clarke had been on a massive quest for what they heard were millions of feet of film from the "Le Mans" set, chasing down tips from Russia to New Jersey before eventually unearthing it below a Hollywood sound stage.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I recently unearthed it.

The New York Times - Books

A storm may have unearthed it.

The Washington Post

They were forced to unearth it two days later.

The New York Times

With prices so high, miners will eventually unearth it.

The Economist

Harvard professor Latanya Sweeney unearthed it in a study.

Harvard Business Review

And so after they unearthed it, after they drew it, they covered it back over again.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unearthing it" when you want to emphasize the effort or process of discovering something that was hidden or lost.

Common error

While "unearthing it" is correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "finding it" or "discovering it" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unearthing it" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing the discovery of information, films, and even physical objects.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unearthing it" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the act of discovering something hidden. Ludwig AI indicates it's more common in news and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While synonymous with phrases like "discovering it" or "revealing it", "unearthing it" carries a nuance of effort and investigation. Consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncovering it

Similar to "unearthing it", but doesn't necessarily imply a physical digging.

discovering it

Focuses more on the act of finding something, without necessarily implying it was hidden.

revealing it

Emphasizes the act of making something known, often something previously secret.

exposing it

Implies bringing something to light, often something negative or scandalous.

bringing it to the surface

Implies revealing something that was concealed or submerged.

digging it up

More literal and implies a physical excavation, similar to the root of "unearthing".

bringing it to light

A more figurative way of saying revealing or exposing something.

detecting it

Suggests finding something through careful observation or investigation.

finding it

A general term for locating something, with no implication of it being hidden.

ascertaining it

Focuses on confirming or establishing something as true after investigation.

FAQs

What does "unearthing it" mean?

"Unearthing it" means discovering or bringing something to light that was previously hidden, lost, or unknown. It often implies effort or investigation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "unearthing it"?

It's appropriate to use "unearthing it" when you want to emphasize the process of discovering something that required effort, such as historical documents, secrets, or buried items.

What can I say instead of "unearthing it"?

You can use alternatives like "discovering it", "revealing it", or "uncovering it" depending on the context.

Is "unearthing it" formal or informal?

"Unearthing it" tends to be more formal. In casual conversation, consider using "finding it" or "discovering it".