were found out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were found out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express the act of someone being discovered or exposed doing something wrong or improper, usually after a period of time in which the person was successful in hiding their actions. Example: After months of secretly manipulating the stock market, the CEO's unethical actions were found out.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Optimum conditions for stable emulsion were found out experimentally.

Desalination

No differences were found out for methanol oxidation.

Electrochimica Acta

We were found out at the British border – thankfully the UK border agency was sympathetic.

The Guardian

The CO2-adsorbed species were found out to be silylpropylcarbamate, carbamic acid and carbamate.

Catalysis Today

Just as in Carson and Chester before that, the Red Bulls were found out at full-back.

The Guardian - Sport

Pochettino's squad have been found wanting at this level and they were found out badly again here.

The Guardian - Sport

Fourteen water treatment plants were found out in the Narasaraopet municipality region in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Materials Today: Proceedings

Percentage deviations in each axis were found out and also surface roughness along top and vertical surface.

Materials Today: Proceedings

The mechanical properties such as compression strength, hardness, Impact strength and tensile strengths were found out as per ASTM standards.

Materials Today: Proceedings

Optimized conditions were found out at initial concentration = 1 ppm, adsorbent dose = 4 g/l and pH = 7.

Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management

The activation energy and frequency factor were found out using the slope and intercept of the Arrhenius plot.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were found out" to emphasize the discovery of something previously hidden or secret, especially when there is an element of wrongdoing or impropriety involved.

Common error

Avoid using "were found out" in contexts where something is simply discovered without any prior concealment. Use "were discovered" or "were identified" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were found out" functions as a passive construction of the verb 'find out', indicating that the subject was the recipient of the action of being discovered or exposed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this often implies the revelation of something previously hidden or secret.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were found out" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate the discovery or exposure of something previously hidden, as Ludwig AI confirms. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts, with frequent usage in news and media and scientific writing. When using this phrase, consider the implications of concealment and potential wrongdoing, and opt for alternative phrasing like "were discovered" when a more neutral tone is desired. Understanding the subtle differences between similar phrases enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were discovered

Focuses more on the act of uncovering something, less on the potential wrongdoing.

were exposed

Emphasizes the revealing of something that was meant to be concealed.

were revealed

Highlights the unveiling of information or actions.

were caught

Implies being apprehended while doing something wrong.

were detected

Suggests that something was noticed, often through careful observation or investigation.

were uncovered

Focuses on the act of bringing something to light after it was hidden.

were brought to light

A more formal way of saying something was made public.

were made public

Highlights the act of something becoming known to everyone.

were unveiled

Similar to revealed, but often used in more formal or ceremonial contexts.

were unmasked

Suggests that someone's true identity or intentions were revealed.

FAQs

How can I use "were found out" in a sentence?

Use "were found out" to indicate that someone's previously hidden actions or secrets have been discovered. For example, "The corrupt officials "were found out" after an investigation."

What are some alternatives to "were found out"?

You can use alternatives like "were discovered", "were exposed", or "were revealed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "were found out" or "were discovered"?

"Were found out" implies a prior attempt to conceal something, often wrongdoing. "Were discovered" is more neutral and simply means something was uncovered, without necessarily implying concealment. So, the choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "were found out" and "were caught"?

"Were caught" generally implies being apprehended in the act of doing something wrong. "Were found out" suggests that the wrongdoing was uncovered after the fact, even if the person wasn't caught in the act.