unearthing something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unearthing something" 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 something significant at the ancient site." Alternative expressions include "discovering something," "revealing something," and "finding something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Unearthing something that I can only see the edges of.

Independent

If you're serious about unearthing something of value, research a site first.

The Guardian - Money

The act of unearthing something that was last seen by someone thousands of years ago is probably one of the biggest thrills of archaeology.

Princeton University

A Sunday Times journalist told the Guardian how at one point he saw reporters sifting through a pile of standard civil service memos more than an inch thick, in the hope of unearthing something newsworthy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But my search for practical counsel unearthed something else, too.

The New York Times

By Friday evening, they unearthed something that news outlets seemed to have missed.

The New York Times

The tabloids tried to unearth something on me, and couldn't because there is nothing.

The Guardian

But every now and again he unearths something that we actually find entertaining.

The Guardian - Money

Others say the monument simply unearthed something bigger that has always been there, just out of sight.

The New York Times

The digger has unearthed something other than earth, a piece of clothing hangs from one of the bucket's teeth.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Cluess thought he had unearthed something special — a castoff who had acquired an unfair label that did not reflect his personality or motivation.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unearthing something" when you want to emphasize the effort or process of discovery, suggesting a deliberate search or investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "unearthing something" in contexts where a more general term like "discovering" or "finding" would be more appropriate. Reserve it for situations where there's a sense of uncovering or revealing something that was previously hidden or obscure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unearthing something" functions as a verbal phrase, often acting as the predicate of a clause. It signifies the action of discovering or revealing something that was previously hidden or unknown. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, from journalism to archaeology.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unearthing something" is a verbal phrase denoting the discovery or revelation of something previously hidden, often through effort or investigation. Ludwig examples and analysis suggest its usage is grammatically sound and appropriate across various contexts, although less frequent in formal business settings. The phrase conveys a sense of deliberate discovery and can be effectively used when emphasizing the process of revealing something obscure. Based on the available data, its use is more frequent in news, academic and scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discovering something

Focuses on the act of finding something, similar to unearthing but without the implication of digging or uncovering.

revealing something

Highlights the act of making something known, emphasizing disclosure rather than physical discovery.

uncovering something

Similar to unearthing, but can also apply to non-physical discoveries, emphasizing exposure.

finding something hidden

Emphasizes the aspect of something being concealed before its discovery.

bringing something to light

Highlights the act of making something known publicly, shifting focus to dissemination.

stumbling upon something

Suggests an accidental discovery, in contrast to a deliberate search.

unveiling something

Implies a formal or ceremonial reveal, adding a sense of importance.

detecting something

Focuses on identifying something, often through careful observation or investigation.

ferreting out something

Implies a diligent and persistent search to find something elusive.

exhuming something

Specifically refers to digging up something buried, often related to historical or archaeological contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "unearthing something" in a sentence?

You can use "unearthing something" when referring to discovering or revealing something that was hidden or unknown. For example: "The journalist was "determined to unearth the truth"".

What can I say instead of "unearthing something"?

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

Which is correct, "unearthing something" or "earthing something"?

"Unearthing something" is correct and means to discover something hidden. "Earthing something" is not a common phrase and doesn't carry the same meaning. If you mean to connect something to the earth for electrical grounding, you might say "grounding something".

What's the difference between "unearthing something" and "excavating something"?

"Unearthing something" implies a broader sense of discovery, while "excavating something" typically refers to the physical process of digging something up, especially in an archaeological context. You excavate a site, and in doing so might "unearth artifacts".