What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discover
Example
Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. [discover: verb]
Example
I discovered a new restaurant in town that serves amazing sushi. [discovered: past tense]
Example
The scientist discovered a new species of butterfly in the Amazon rainforest. [discover: verb]
unearth
Example
The archaeologist unearthed an ancient tomb in Egypt. [unearth: verb]
Example
The detective unearthed new evidence that led to the suspect's arrest. [unearthed: past tense]
Example
The journalist unearthed a scandal involving government officials. [unearth: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discover is more commonly used than unearth in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between discover and unearth?
Discover is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while unearth is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language.
