we unearthed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we unearthed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the discovery or revelation of something that was previously hidden or unknown, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "During our research, we unearthed some fascinating historical documents that shed light on the past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

We unearthed unpublished photographs and accounts of the perilous journey undertaken by Palestinian Arabs in 1948, fleeing their homes in the face of the advancing Jewish forces.

The Guardian

We unearthed but a few, and will go back for more over the coming months.

Forbes

We unearthed activities on both sides of the country to determine the top four activities that will help establish the winner of this battle royale!

Huffington Post

We unearthed breakpoint-spanning reads in the evolved genome sequencing data set by assembling unmapped reads into contigs using Velvet, a short-read de novo assembly algorithm [ 28].

BMC Genomics

So we commissioned an archive expert to examine every piece of film we unearthed.

The Guardian

Gradually, we unearthed the stories of those directly involved with the Amber Room.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Through this we have unearthed scandal.

The New Yorker

The stock grants are significantly higher than what we've unearthed previously, but the model is the same.

TechCrunch

"We have taken the unusual step of sharing information about these attacks with a broad audience not just because of the security and human rights implications of what we have unearthed," Google said, "but also because this information goes to the heart of a much bigger global debate about freedom of speech".

Forbes

One day after President Bush's former Chief of Staff Andrew Card blasted President Obama for breaking the Bush dress code, which reportedly required that a jacket be worn by anyone entering the Oval Office, we've unearthed a photo of, well, a jacketless President Bush in the Oval Office.

Huffington Post

To test this, we superimposed the unearthed culture relic sites of rice domestication in East Asia and we observed a significant correlation of the ADH1B*47His allele frequencies with the ages of rice domestication (r = 0.769, p < 0.01, two-tailed t test; Figure 3; see Additional file 1).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context; "we unearthed" is suitable when the discovery required effort or research.

Common error

Avoid using "we unearthed" when a simpler term like "we found" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we unearthed" functions as a verb phrase, where 'unearthed' is the past tense of the verb 'unearth'. It typically describes the action of discovering something hidden or previously unknown. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we unearthed" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the process of discovering something through investigation or research. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for both formal and informal writing. While predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it adds a nuance of effort and discovery to your writing. Consider synonyms like "we discovered" or "we revealed" to avoid overuse, and ensure the context warrants the implication of diligent searching.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we discovered

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym for finding something.

we uncovered

This alternative suggests a removal of a covering, whether literal or figurative, to reveal something.

we revealed

This emphasizes the act of making something known that was previously secret.

we exposed

This implies bringing something to light, often with a negative connotation.

we brought to light

This is a more formal and emphatic way of saying we revealed.

we dug up

Similar to unearthed, but more informal and often used for physical objects.

we brought to the surface

Emphasizes the act of revealing something hidden or submerged.

we tracked down

Suggests a more laborious or investigative process of finding something.

we ferreted out

Implies a persistent and cunning search to find something.

we stumbled upon

This suggests a more accidental or serendipitous discovery.

FAQs

What does "we unearthed" mean?

The phrase "we unearthed" means that something was discovered after some investigation or searching. It suggests the information or object wasn't readily available and required effort to find.

What can I say instead of "we unearthed"?

You can use alternatives like "we discovered", "we uncovered", or "we revealed" depending on the specific context.

Is "we unearthed" formal or informal?

"We unearthed" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in writing than in casual conversation.

How to use "we unearthed" in a sentence?

You might say, "During our research, we unearthed some surprising facts" or "By examining old records, we unearthed the truth about the company's past."