were discovered

USAGE SUMMARY

"were discovered" is correct and usable in written English.
It is the past tense of the verb "discover", and it can be used to indicate the discovery of something. For example: "The pyramids of Giza were discovered by archaeologists in the 19th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Important fossils were discovered.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, problems were discovered.

The New York Times

"Financial irregularities" were discovered.

The New Yorker

Those who were discovered often died gruesomely.

The New Yorker

"Afterwards additional casualties were discovered," he said.

The New York Times

In some cases, fraudulent documents were discovered.

The New York Times

Two bags totaling 25 pounds were discovered.

The New York Times

Some cases were discovered in France.

The Economist

The nanostructures were discovered by accident.

The New York Times - Science

The first were discovered one year ago.

The New York Times - Arts

No pimps or traffickers were discovered.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were discovered" in the passive voice to emphasize the object or information that was found, rather than the discoverer. For instance, instead of "Scientists discovered the gene", say "The gene was discovered by scientists."

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the focus should be on what was found, not who found it. Incorrect: "Researchers discovered new evidence." Correct: "New evidence "was discovered" by researchers."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were discovered" functions as the past passive form of the verb discover. It's used to indicate that something was found or revealed by an unspecified or previously mentioned agent. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

37%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were discovered" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something has been found or revealed. As evidenced by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, scientific reports, and general writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. This passive construction emphasizes the finding itself rather than the agent of discovery. To use this phrase effectively, consider emphasizing the object that was found and using it in a neutral tone, suitable for a variety of contexts. Remember, ""were discovered"" is for revealing something that already existed; "were invented" is for creating something completely new.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were found

Focuses on the simple act of finding something, without necessarily implying a process of active searching or uncovering.

were uncovered

Implies a removal of a covering or concealment, often suggesting a deliberate or gradual revelation.

were revealed

Highlights the act of making something known or visible, often after a period of being hidden or obscure.

came to light

Emphasizes the emergence of information or facts that were previously unknown or secret.

were detected

Suggests the identification of something through careful observation or specialized tools, often in a scientific or technical context.

were identified

Focuses on the recognition and classification of something, often involving a process of analysis or comparison.

were ascertained

Implies a process of finding something out for certain, usually through investigation or inquiry.

were unearthed

Suggests the act of digging up something from the ground, often with historical or archaeological implications.

were brought to light

Similar to "came to light", but with a more active voice, suggesting that someone or something caused the revelation.

were discerned

Indicates perceiving or recognizing something that is not obvious or easily noticed.

FAQs

How can I use "were discovered" in a sentence?

The phrase "were discovered" is used to indicate that something was found or revealed. For example, "The ancient ruins "were discovered" during the excavation."

What are some alternatives to "were discovered"?

Alternatives include "were found", "were uncovered", or "came to light", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify who or what made the discovery when using "were discovered"?

No, it is not always necessary. You can omit the agent (the one who discovered) if it is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from the context. For instance, "Important fossils "were discovered"."

What is the difference between "were discovered" and "were invented"?

"Were discovered" implies finding something that already existed, while "were invented" means creating something new. For example, penicillin "was discovered", but the telephone "was invented".