When was a leak discovered? vs When a leak was discovered?

Both phrases are correct, but they have different structures and are used in different contexts. "When was a leak discovered?" is a more common and natural way to ask a question about the timing of discovering a leak. On the other hand, "When a leak was discovered?" can be used in a more formal or structured context, such as in written reports or formal writing.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 521 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"When was a leak discovered?"

This phrase is a common way to ask about the timing of discovering a leak. It follows the typical question structure in English.

Show examples from the web [+]

You wouldn't have even known there was a leak if Naval Intelligence hadn't discovered it.
He was a leak that needed to be plugged.
Which means there was a leak.
Or maybe there was a leak.
We think there was a leak.
He says there was a leak from Farhad's people, but I wonder.
There was a leak in your office -
There was a leak, so they probably went into lock down.
There was a leak, and I had to do some plastering.
Boy, the last time there was a leak like this, Noah built himself a boat.
You mean there was a leak?
There was a leak in the cryo unit and...
There was a leak in the pipes, so oxygen mixed with the monoxide.
From the beginning, we've suspected that there was a leak in this precinct.
In 1985, there was a leak into the sea at Hinkley Point.
In 1970, there was a leak in the Madrid sewage system, releasing liquids which were four million times more radioactive than the permitted maximum limit.
It is known that there was a leak of radioactive particles but the origin and full extent of the accident remain unknown.
I thought there was a leak, but the computer took a hit.
Mary, there was a leak, some water damage in the back, - so she set up shop temporarily.
There was a leak in the crime lab, and unfortunately, the press now knows that Tom was your son.

Alternatives:

When was the leak discovered?
When did they discover the leak?
When did the leak get discovered?
When was the discovery of the leak?
When did the leak come to light?

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in everyday English.

"When a leak was discovered?"

This phrase can be used in more formal or structured contexts, such as in written reports or formal writing. It has a different word order compared to the first phrase.

Show examples from the web [+]

The leak was discovered during the afternoon of 8 July 2008.
Local residents complain that the leak was discovered in 2004 and the problem has continued to exist to this day.
The leak was discovered at around 4.30 this morning by the European Parliament services, who immediately took the necessary steps to safeguard the Chamber and the fittings and to seek to localise and stop the leak.
How old were you when this planet was discovered?
This, it is how he was discovered?
But no sightings till her body was discovered?
So you guys were both present when the body was discovered?
You were on duty when The latest body was discovered?
Did you go to the Murphy home the night before Tom was discovered?
Have you heard from Nick Vera since this body was discovered?
What about anyone leaving or entering the bathroom before the body was discovered?
Under conditions like this, based on decomp, death occurred between three to five days before he was discovered?
Was there anyone who could account for you, just before the body was discovered?
The chalk hole in which it stood was discovered in 1979, when a ditch had to be dug for a local telephone line.
You wouldn't have even known there was a leak if Naval Intelligence hadn't discovered it.
How about when a large number of irregularities have been discovered?
Setting aside the operational purpose of the Tireless being in the Mediterranean when the leak in the pipe work of the reactor cooling system was discovered, let us look at some of the issues.
Looks like our leak was plugged.
"The body of Isabelle Dubois, 17, was discovered when a family was cleaning out a vacant home."
Attorney Wade Chandling was discovered early this morning by hikers.

Alternatives:

When the leak was discovered?
At what time was a leak discovered?
At what point was the leak discovered?
When was the discovery of the leak?
When did the leak come to light?

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When was a leak discovered? vs When a leak was discovered?