What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
transpire
Example
It transpired that the company had been involved in illegal activities. [transpired: past tense]
Example
The details of the meeting were not supposed to be made public, but they transpired anyway. [transpired: verb]
unfold
Example
The plot of the movie slowly unfolded as the story progressed. [unfolded: past tense]
Example
As the investigation continued, more details began to unfold. [unfold: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unfold is more commonly used than transpire in everyday language. Unfold is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while transpire is less common and typically used in more formal or specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between transpire and unfold?
Transpire is more formal than unfold, which is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
