I found out about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I found out about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you have discovered or learned information regarding a specific topic or subject. Example: "I found out about the new policy changes during the meeting yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I found out about this last evening.

The New York Times

"I found out about it on Thursday.

The Guardian - Sport

That's all I found out about him".

The New York Times

Then I found out about Bargaindog.

The New York Times - Tech

I found out about the film the following day".

Independent

Unfortunately, I found out about 18 months too late".

The New York Times

And then I found out about self care.

The Guardian

That's how I found out about these films.

The New Yorker

I found out about her birth on WhatsApp".

The Guardian

There I found out about Cesare Pavese's suicide.

The New Yorker

That's when I found out about the government".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I found out about" to introduce new information or revelations, creating a sense of discovery or learning in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I found out about" repeatedly without providing context on how or when the discovery occurred. Vary your sentence structure and use alternative phrases like "I learned" or "I discovered" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I found out about" functions as an introductory phrase to express the act of discovering or learning something. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used. Examples include "I found out about Wiener-Dog on Twitter" and "I found out about the war through the internet."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I found out about" is a versatile and commonly used expression to introduce information recently discovered or learned. Grammatically sound and widely accepted, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves primarily to inform and share revelations. While suitable for diverse contexts, including news and informal communication, consider more formal alternatives like "I was informed of" in academic or professional settings. To enhance clarity, always provide context regarding the discovery's source or method. In essence, "I found out about" is a reliable way to introduce new insights and engaging narrative elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I learned about

Emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge on a topic, differing slightly in focus from the act of discovery.

I discovered

Highlights the act of uncovering something previously unknown, placing emphasis on the element of surprise or exploration.

I became aware of

Suggests a gradual realization or understanding, often implying a shift in perception or awareness.

I was informed of

Implies that the information was conveyed to the speaker by someone else, focusing on the source of the knowledge.

I came to know about

Indicates a process of getting acquainted with or learning over time, adding a sense of gradual understanding.

I heard about

Suggests that the information was received through hearsay or casual communication, rather than formal learning.

I ascertained

Highlights the process of investigating and confirming something, often through careful inquiry or research.

It came to my attention

Indicates that the information was brought to the speaker's notice, often by external factors or circumstances.

I realised

Highlights a moment of sudden understanding or insight, emphasizing the speaker's internal comprehension.

I understood

Focuses on the speaker's grasp or comprehension of the information, implying a level of cognitive processing.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I found out about"?

You can use alternatives like "I learned about", "I discovered", or "I became aware of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I found out about" formal or informal?

The phrase "I found out about" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using "I was informed of" or "it came to my attention" for a more sophisticated tone.

How do I use "I found out about" in a sentence?

Use "I found out about" to introduce information you recently discovered. For example: "I found out about the new company policy today" or "I found out about the conference from a colleague".

What's the difference between "I found out about" and "I heard about"?

"I found out about" often implies a more direct or deliberate discovery process, while "I heard about" suggests receiving information through casual or indirect means, such as hearsay. The former often implies greater reliability or detail.