Disclosed vs Disclosure: Unraveling Commonly Confused Terms

When it comes to the usage of the words “disclosed” and “disclosure,” there seems to be some confusion among writers and speakers. However, the proper word to use depends on the context of the sentence.

Disclosed is a verb that means to reveal or make something known to others. On the other hand, disclosure is a noun that refers to the act of revealing or making something known to others.

In this article, we will explore the differences between disclosed and disclosure and provide examples of when to use each word.

Define Disclosed

Disclosed is the past tense of the verb ‘disclose’. It means to make known or reveal something that was previously hidden or unknown. In legal terms, it can refer to the act of providing information or documents that are relevant to a legal case.

For example, if a company is involved in a lawsuit, they may be required to disclose all relevant documents and information to the opposing party. Failure to do so can result in legal consequences.

Disclosed can also be used in the context of financial reporting. Companies are required to disclose certain information to their shareholders and the public, such as their financial statements and any potential risks to their business.

Define Disclosure

Disclosure is the act of making something known or revealing information that was previously hidden or unknown. It can refer to the act of providing information or documents that are relevant to a legal case, as well as the act of sharing personal or confidential information.

For example, in the context of healthcare, patients have the right to know what information is being shared about them and with whom. This is known as a disclosure statement. In the financial world, companies are required to make certain disclosures to their shareholders and the public, such as their financial statements and any potential risks to their business.

Disclosure can also refer to the act of sharing personal information, such as in the context of social media. Users are often required to agree to a disclosure statement that outlines how their personal information will be used and shared by the platform.

Comparison between disclosed and disclosure

Disclosed	Disclosure
Refers to the past tense of the verb ‘disclose’	Refers to the act of making something known or revealing information
Often used in legal and financial contexts	Can refer to personal or confidential information as well as legal and financial information
Can have legal consequences if not done properly	Can involve agreements or statements outlining how information will be used and shared

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using words correctly in a sentence is essential to effective communication. Misusing words can lead to misunderstandings and confusion. In this section, we will discuss how to use the words “disclosed” and “disclosure” properly in a sentence.

How To Use “Disclosed” In A Sentence

The word “disclosed” is a verb that means to reveal or make something known. It is often used in legal or financial contexts.

Here are some examples of how to use “disclosed” in a sentence:

• The company disclosed its financial statements to the public.
• The lawyer disclosed new evidence in the trial.
• The employee disclosed confidential information to a competitor.

It is important to note that “disclosed” is the past tense of the verb “disclose.” Therefore, it should be used to describe something that has already been revealed or made known.

How To Use “Disclosure” In A Sentence

The word “disclosure” is a noun that refers to the act of revealing or making something known. It is often used in legal or financial contexts.

Here are some examples of how to use “disclosure” in a sentence:

• The company made a full disclosure of its financial statements.
• The lawyer demanded full disclosure of all evidence in the trial.
• The employee signed a non-disclosure agreement to protect confidential information.

It is important to note that “disclosure” is a noun and should be used to describe the act of revealing or making something known. It should not be used as a verb.

By understanding the proper usage of “disclosed” and “disclosure,” you can effectively communicate in legal or financial contexts and avoid misunderstandings.

More Examples Of Disclosed & Disclosure Used In Sentences

In order to gain a better understanding of how to use the words “disclosed” and “disclosure” in a sentence, it’s important to examine some real-world examples. Here are some examples of how these words can be used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using “Disclosed” In A Sentence

• The company disclosed its quarterly earnings report to shareholders.
• The politician disclosed his financial records to the public.
• The doctor disclosed the patient’s medical history to the specialist.
• The lawyer disclosed the evidence to the judge.
• The journalist disclosed the identity of her anonymous source.
• The company disclosed that it had been hacked and customer data had been stolen.
• The scientist disclosed the results of her research study to her colleagues.
• The celebrity disclosed her struggles with addiction in a tell-all interview.
• The teacher disclosed the student’s academic record to the admissions committee.
• The artist disclosed the inspiration behind her latest masterpiece.

Examples Of Using “Disclosure” In A Sentence

• The company made a disclosure about its environmental impact.
• The politician’s disclosure of his affair caused a scandal.
• The lawyer demanded full disclosure of all evidence in the case.
• The journalist’s article was based on a disclosure from an anonymous source.
• The company’s disclosure statement warned investors of potential risks.
• The government’s disclosure of classified information was met with controversy.
• The celebrity’s disclosure of her mental health struggles inspired others to seek help.
• The doctor’s disclosure of a medical error led to improved patient safety protocols.
• The teacher’s disclosure of a conflict of interest was appreciated by the school board.
• The artist’s disclosure of her personal struggles added depth to her artwork.

As you can see, “disclosed” and “disclosure” are both used in a variety of contexts and can convey different meanings depending on the situation. It’s important to use them correctly in order to effectively communicate your message.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using disclosed and disclosure, people often make the mistake of using these terms interchangeably. However, it is important to understand that these words have different meanings and should be used in the appropriate context.

Using Disclosed Instead Of Disclosure

One common mistake is using disclosed instead of disclosure. Disclosed is the past tense of disclose, which means to reveal or make something known. On the other hand, disclosure refers to the act of making something known or revealing information.

For example, saying “I disclosed my salary to my boss” is correct because it means you revealed your salary to your boss. However, saying “I made a disclosed to my boss” is incorrect because disclosed is the past tense of disclose and not a noun.

Using Disclosure Instead Of Disclosed

Another mistake is using disclosure instead of disclosed. This mistake often happens when people use disclosure as a verb instead of a noun.

For example, saying “I disclosure my salary to my boss” is incorrect because disclosure is a noun and cannot be used as a verb. The correct sentence would be “I disclosed my salary to my boss.”

Tips To Avoid Mistakes

To avoid making these common mistakes, it is important to understand the difference between disclosed and disclosure. Here are some tips:

• Remember that disclosed is the past tense of disclose and should be used as a verb.
• Disclosure is a noun and should be used to refer to the act of revealing information.
• If you are unsure which word to use, consult a dictionary or thesaurus for guidance.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you are using disclosed and disclosure correctly in your writing and communication.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “disclosed” and “disclosure,” context is key. Depending on the situation, one word may be more appropriate than the other. Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “disclosed” and “disclosure” might change:

Legal Context

In a legal context, the choice between “disclosed” and “disclosure” can have significant implications. “Disclosure” typically refers to the act of revealing information, while “disclosed” is the past tense of this verb. In legal documents, the use of “disclosure” may be preferred to emphasize the ongoing nature of the obligation to reveal information. For example, a contract might include a clause that requires a party to make “ongoing disclosures” about certain information. On the other hand, the use of “disclosed” might be more appropriate in describing past events, such as when a party “disclosed” certain information during a prior negotiation.

Financial Context

In a financial context, the choice between “disclosed” and “disclosure” can also have important implications. “Disclosure” is often used to describe the process of making financial information available to the public, such as through the filing of financial statements with regulatory authorities. In this context, the use of “disclosure” is standard and expected. However, the use of “disclosed” might be more appropriate in describing specific events, such as when a company “disclosed” a material weakness in its internal controls.

Media Context

In a media context, the choice between “disclosed” and “disclosure” can be influenced by factors such as tone and audience. “Disclosure” may be preferred in more formal or objective settings, while “disclosed” might be more appropriate in more informal or subjective contexts. For example, a news article reporting on a company’s financial results might use “disclosure” to describe the company’s public filings, while a blog post discussing the same results might use “disclosed” to convey the author’s opinion or perspective.

Overall, the choice between “disclosed” and “disclosure” depends on the context in which they are used. By understanding the nuances of each word, writers can ensure that their language is clear, precise, and appropriate for the situation at hand.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using disclosed and disclosure are generally straightforward, there are certain exceptions where they might not apply. In this section, we will identify and explain these exceptions, along with relevant examples.

1. Legal Context

In some legal contexts, the use of disclosed and disclosure may not follow the usual rules. For instance, in some jurisdictions, disclosure may be mandatory in certain circumstances, regardless of whether the information has been previously disclosed. In other cases, the use of disclosed and disclosure may be governed by specific legal definitions that differ from their ordinary usage.

For example, in the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires publicly traded companies to disclose certain financial information to investors. This disclosure must follow specific rules and guidelines, and failure to comply can result in legal penalties.

2. Technical Terminology

In technical contexts, the use of disclosed and disclosure may also differ from their ordinary usage. This is especially true in fields such as cybersecurity, where the terms are often used in specific and technical ways.

For instance, in the context of cybersecurity, a disclosed vulnerability refers to a security flaw that has been publicly reported, while a disclosure policy refers to a set of guidelines for how such vulnerabilities should be reported and handled.

3. Idiomatic Expressions

Finally, it’s worth noting that there are certain idiomatic expressions in which the use of disclosed and disclosure may not follow the usual rules. These expressions often have a specific meaning that is not necessarily related to the ordinary definitions of the words.

For example, the phrase “to make a disclosure” is often used to mean “to reveal a secret or sensitive information.” In this context, the word disclosure is being used idiomatically, rather than according to its ordinary definition.

Similarly, the phrase “to disclose one’s hand” is an idiom that means “to reveal one’s intentions or plans.” In this case, the word disclosed is being used idiomatically to mean “revealed,” rather than according to its ordinary definition.

Overall, while the rules for using disclosed and disclosure are generally straightforward, there are certain exceptions where their usage may differ from the ordinary rules. These exceptions are often related to specific legal, technical, or idiomatic contexts, and it’s important to be aware of them in order to use the words correctly and effectively.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of disclosed and disclosure is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises to help you get started:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. The company ___________ its financial statements to the public. (disclosed/disclosure)
2. The CEO made a ___________ to the media about the company’s plans for expansion. (disclosed/disclosure)
3. The lawyer advised his client to ___________ all relevant information to the court. (disclosed/disclosure)

Answer key:

1. disclosed
2. disclosure
3. disclose

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of disclosed or disclosure:

1. The ___________ of confidential information is a serious breach of trust.
2. The company’s ___________ policy requires employees to report any potential conflicts of interest.
3. The CEO ___________ that the company had been involved in illegal activity.

Answer key:

1. disclosure
2. disclosure
3. disclosed

By practicing using these words in context, you can improve your understanding and use of disclosed and disclosure. Remember to pay attention to the context in which these words are used, as well as their different forms and meanings.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “disclosed” and “disclosure,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. “Disclosed” is the past tense of the verb “disclose,” which means to reveal or make known information that was previously unknown or secret. On the other hand, “disclosure” is a noun that refers to the act of revealing or making known information.

It is important to use these words correctly in order to communicate effectively and avoid confusion. In legal and financial contexts, in particular, using the wrong word could have serious consequences.

Key Takeaways

• “Disclosed” is the past tense of the verb “disclose,” while “disclosure” is a noun that refers to the act of revealing information.
• Using the wrong word could lead to confusion and have serious consequences in legal and financial contexts.

By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, you can improve your communication skills and avoid common mistakes. Whether you are writing an email, a report, or a legal document, paying attention to the nuances of language can make a big difference in how your message is received.