when discovered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when discovered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the moment something is found or revealed, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "The treasure was hidden for centuries, and when discovered, it changed the course of history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"When discovered, the mistake was immediately corrected.

The New York Times

When discovered, he lied".

The New York Times

When discovered, it appeared to be perfectly uniform.

The Economist

Such violations must be addressed promptly when discovered, he added.

The New York Times

Later, Gylippus embezzled a large sum of Spartan funds and, when discovered, went into exile.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Women were secretly teaching girls in hidden basements, only to be punished severely when discovered.

The New York Times

However, it is often treatable when discovered in the early stages.

The New York Times

D. F. Manley: Is this fellow when discovered in trespass sent to magistrate but not judge?

The Guardian

When discovered, the affair destroys Dave's career, but Tracy's goes into orbit.

The Guardian - Film

This changed after 1909 when discovered how to convert inert nitrogen gas in the atmosphere into ammonia.

Independent

She said many temple sites lay in ruins when discovered, but said this did not mean they had been looted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when discovered" to clearly indicate the point in time at which something was found or revealed, ensuring the context provides sufficient information about what was discovered and by whom.

Common error

Avoid using "when discovered" in constructions where the agent of discovery is unclear or missing. Ensure the sentence clarifies who or what made the discovery to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when discovered" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when the action or state described in the main clause occurs. Ludwig shows numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when discovered" is a versatile phrase used to establish a temporal relationship between a discovery and subsequent events. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across various fields, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating who or what made the discovery. Consider alternatives like "upon discovery" for conciseness, but be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon its discovery

Replaces "when discovered" with a more formal and concise prepositional phrase.

at the point of discovery

Emphasizes the specific moment something is found or revealed.

once it was found

Uses a more straightforward and simple sentence structure.

following its detection

Suitable when the context involves detecting something that was previously hidden.

subsequent to its finding

A more formal and less common alternative.

after its revelation

Implies something previously unknown is now revealed.

on being unearthed

Appropriate when referring to something literally or figuratively uncovered.

as it came to light

Suggests a gradual process of becoming known.

with its unearthing

Similar to "on being unearthed", but with a slightly different emphasis.

at the time of finding

Focuses on the exact moment of the discovery.

FAQs

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

Use "when discovered" to specify the timing of an event following a discovery. For example, "The artifact, "when discovered", was remarkably well-preserved".

What are some alternatives to "when discovered"?

Alternatives include "upon discovery", "at the point of discovery", or "once it was found", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to use "when discovered" or "upon discovery"?

"When discovered" is a clause, while "upon discovery" is a prepositional phrase. Use "when discovered" when you need to include more details about the circumstances of the discovery, and "upon discovery" when you want a more concise expression.

Can "when discovered" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "when discovered" can be used at the beginning of a sentence to emphasize the timing of the discovery. For example, "When discovered, the ancient city revealed many secrets".