were revealed

USAGE SUMMARY

"were revealed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about something that has been discovered or disclosed. For example: "The results of the investigation were revealed this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Secrets were revealed.

The New York Times

No clues were revealed.

The New York Times

No details were revealed.

The New York Times

The claims were revealed to be unfounded.

Independent

Details of two were revealed yesterday.

The Guardian

Once these were revealed, the company imploded.

The Guardian

There the red figures were revealed.

The New York Times - Travel

For the first time shortlists were revealed.

The Guardian - Film

When they were revealed Corbyn sacked him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Woods's true thoughts were revealed in his tenses.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Few other details were revealed after frantic late-night talks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were revealed" to emphasize that something previously hidden or unknown has been brought to light. This passive construction shifts the focus to the information itself rather than the person or entity revealing it.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the emphasis should be on what was uncovered, not who uncovered it. For example, instead of saying "They revealed the secrets", use "The secrets were revealed" to keep the focus on the secrets themselves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were revealed" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject (often information, details, or secrets) underwent the action of being made known or uncovered. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were revealed" is a grammatically sound and very common passive verb phrase used to indicate that something previously hidden or unknown has been made known. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its strength lies in its versatility across various contexts, including news, science, and formal settings. The phrase emphasizes the information being disclosed rather than the agent doing the revealing. To enhance writing, consider alternatives such as "came to light" or "were disclosed" to add nuance, but ensure the passive voice aligns with the intended emphasis. When using the phrase, prioritize clarity and accuracy in presenting the newly uncovered information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were disclosed

This implies a formal act of making information public, often by an authority.

were uncovered

Suggests something hidden or concealed was found, often through investigation.

were made public

A straightforward alternative indicating that information was released to the general population.

were discovered

Emphasizes the finding of something previously unknown, often through exploration or research.

came to light

This alternative suggests something became known publicly, often implying a gradual uncovering.

were exposed

Implies something previously hidden, often negative, was revealed, potentially causing harm or embarrassment.

were brought to light

Similar to "came to light", but emphasizes the action of someone making the information known.

were unveiled

Suggests a formal or ceremonial revealing, often of something significant or impressive.

were divulged

Suggests the revealing of confidential or secret information, often reluctantly.

became apparent

Indicates something became clear or obvious, often through observation or evidence.

FAQs

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

Use "were revealed" to describe how previously unknown information has become known. For example, "The survey results "were revealed" at the conference."

What are some alternatives to saying "were revealed"?

You can use alternatives such as "were disclosed", "were uncovered", or "came to light" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "were revealed" instead of "was revealed"?

"Were revealed" is used with plural subjects, while "was revealed" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The secrets were revealed", but "The truth was revealed."

What is the difference between "were revealed" and "were exposed"?

"Were revealed" generally means something was made known, while "were exposed" often implies that something negative or scandalous was made public.