until we discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until we discover" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or condition that lasts up to the point of making a discovery or finding something out. Example: "We will continue our research until we discover the underlying cause of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"We will completely study this aircraft from one end to the other until we discover what caused this accident".

The New York Times

We think we're looking at Lynchian weirdness, until we discover that what we've been witness to is one woman's astonishingly elaborate delusional system.

The New York Times

Until we discover the cause, most likely we will end up using cocktails of drugs targeting various pathways with small incremental benefits, much like we do for cancer.

The New York Times

Until we discover a more consistent blend of resilience and artistry, though, chances are we'll be left counting on the inadequacies of our competitors.

The Guardian - Sport

Marian Keyes sustains the mystery throughout the first half of Anybody Out There until we discover the reason for Anna's profound shock.

The Guardian - Books

All goes smoothly until we discover Fresh & Wild has been sucked into the monster US food emporium Whole Foods in Knightsbridge a mile away.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Which actually was quite O.K. until we discovered that the Civil War isn't over yet".

The New Yorker

"We had a match that seemed perfect, until we discovered that one was a cattle rancher's son and the other was a vegan".

The New York Times

On Saturday night I was meant to be watching rugby, until we discovered it was on a week later than we thought.

The Guardian - Travel

It was, like, grim, very grim, until we discovered that we weren't at the celebration for the wall coming down, we were at a protest meeting to put the wall back up".

The New York Times - Arts

At the age of 5, she was kept in a seclusion room for up to an hour at a time over the course of three months, until we discovered what was happening.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "until we discover", consider the level of formality required for your context. While generally acceptable, more formal settings might benefit from synonyms like "ascertain" or "determine".

Common error

Avoid using "until we discover" in passive voice constructions where the agent of discovery is unclear. For example, instead of writing "Mistakes will be made until the problem is discovered", be precise: "Mistakes will be made until we discover the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until we discover" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies a condition or duration. It sets a time limit on an action or state, which persists up to the point of a future discovery. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "until we discover" functions as a temporal conjunction, indicating a condition that lasts up to a future discovery. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct and frequent usage across diverse contexts like news, science, and general writing. To ensure precision, define who is making the discovery and consider formality when picking alternatives. Avoid using it in passive voice constructions for clarity. In short, "until we discover" is a flexible phrase suitable for expressing contingency and persistence in various communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until we find

Replaces "discover" with a more general term for finding something; slightly less formal.

until we learn

Shifts the focus to gaining knowledge, implying a learning process rather than a single discovery event.

until we realize

Emphasizes the moment of understanding or awareness.

before we discover

Changes the construction to emphasize the period preceding the discovery.

until we ascertain

Replaces "discover" with a more formal term for finding something out.

before we know

Emphasizes lack of knowledge until point of learning, implying uncertainty.

prior to our discovery

Uses a noun form to describe the period leading up to the discovery, making it more formal.

until we identify

Specifies the discovery as the act of identifying something, making the context more precise.

until such time as we discover

Adds a formal tone and emphasizes the duration.

pending our discovery

Similar to "prior to our discovery", but more concise.

FAQs

How can I use "until we discover" in a sentence?

Use "until we discover" to indicate a period leading up to a moment of finding something out or realizing something. For example, "We will continue searching "until we discover" the truth."

What can I say instead of "until we discover"?

You can use alternatives like "until we find out", "until we learn", or "until we realize" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "until we discovered" instead of "until we discover"?

The phrase "until we discovered" refers to a point in the past, implying that the discovery has already occurred. In contrast, "until we discover" refers to a future or ongoing search.

What is the difference between "until we discover" and "before we discover"?

"Until we discover" implies continuation up to the point of discovery, while "before we discover" emphasizes the time leading up to the discovery. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the process or the anticipation.