What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
expose
Example
The journalist's article exposed the corruption within the government. [expose: verb]
Example
The artist's work aims to expose the beauty in everyday life. [expose: verb]
Example
The patient was exposed to the virus during their hospital stay. [exposed: past participle]
uncover
Example
The archaeologist uncovered ancient artifacts during the excavation. [uncovered: past tense]
Example
The investigation uncovered evidence of fraud within the company. [uncovered: past tense]
Example
She uncovered the pot to check on the soup. [uncovered: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Expose is more commonly used than uncover in formal or serious contexts, such as journalism or legal proceedings. Uncover is more commonly used in the context of discovering information or evidence, but can also be used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between expose and uncover?
Expose is generally considered more formal than uncover, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
