What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
uncover
Example
She uncovered the pot to check on the soup. [uncovered: past tense]
Example
The investigation uncovered evidence of corruption within the company. [uncovered: verb]
discover
Example
Columbus discovered America in 1492. [discovered: past tense]
Example
I just discovered a new restaurant in town. [discovered: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discover is more commonly used than uncover in everyday language. Discover is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while uncover is less common and often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between uncover and discover?
Both uncover and discover are relatively formal words and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, discover is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, making it more common in everyday language.
