are out of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are out of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a lack of something or that something is no longer available. Example: "We are out of milk, so we need to go to the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We are out of time.

The New York Times

You are out of luck.

The New York Times

Conglomerates are out of favor.

The New York Times

Both are out of baseball.

The New York Times - Sports

People are out of work.

The New York Times

Sweet wines are out of fashion.

The New York Times - Food

"Summertime, kids are out of school.

The New York Times

Nowadays, entitlements are out of fashion.

The Economist

Most of them are out of date".

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

So are out-of-town guests.

The New York Times

Sirens are out-of-door warnings only.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are out of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking or from where something is absent. For example, "We are out of ideas" is more precise than simply saying "We are out."

Common error

Avoid using "are out of" in passive constructions where the agent performing the action is unclear. For instance, instead of saying "Mistakes are out of control", specify who or what is causing the lack of control: "The project's costs are out of control."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are out of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that often acts as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate a lack of something or that something is no longer available. Examples include "We are out of milk" and "They are out of stock".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Formal & Business

11%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are out of" is a very common prepositional phrase used to denote a state of depletion, absence, or exclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly conveys that something is lacking or no longer available. It is versatile enough for use across various registers, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academic contexts. When using "are out of", clarity is key to avoid ambiguity, and it is advisable to refrain from passive constructions where the agent is unclear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have depleted

Similar to "have exhausted", but emphasizes the reduction of something to a low level.

are lacking in

Indicates a deficiency in a particular quality or resource.

have exhausted

Implies a complete consumption or depletion of resources, differing from "are out of" by focusing on the process of using up something.

are devoid of

Emphasizes the absence of something, especially something expected or necessary.

are missing

Suggests that something is absent or has been lost, differing from "are out of" which may imply intentional removal or depletion.

no longer possess

Focuses on the lack of ownership or control, unlike "are out of", which can refer to being absent from a place or condition.

are excluded from

Focuses on the act of preventing someone or something from entering or participating.

are finished with

Implies completion or termination of an activity or process, where "are out of" indicates a state of depletion.

are out of bounds

Specifically refers to exceeding established limits or rules.

are beyond

Suggests that something is unattainable or surpasses a limit, changing the focus from physical absence to conceptual boundaries.

FAQs

How can I use "are out of" in a sentence?

You can use "are out of" to indicate a lack of something (e.g., "We "are out of milk"") or that something is no longer available (e.g., "Those tickets "are out of stock"").

What are some alternatives to "are out of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have exhausted", "have depleted", or "are lacking in".

Is it correct to say "is out of" instead of "are out of"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is out of" with singular subjects (e.g., "The milk is out of date") and "are out of" with plural subjects (e.g., "The children "are out of school"").

What's the difference between "are out of" and "have run out of"?

Both phrases indicate a lack of something, but "have run out of" often implies that something was available previously but is no longer. "Are out of" can also indicate a more general lack or absence.