as it turned out

USAGE SUMMARY

"as it turned out" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express a surprise or unexpected result. For example: "At first, I thought that the project would be unsuccessful, but as it turned out, we were able to complete it with ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing, as it turned out.

The New York Times

No, as it turned out.

The New York Times

As it turned out, Capt.

Columbia University

As it turned out, both worked.

The New York Times

As it turned out, Kidwai was mistaken.

The New Yorker

A major one, as it turned out.

The New Yorker

Incomparably worse, as it turned out.

The New York Times - Magazine

As it turned out, he was right.

Independent

Not true, as it turned out.

Independent

As it turned out, he was wrong.

The New York Times

As it turned out: not a lot.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it turned out" to introduce a result that contrasts with initial expectations or assumptions. This adds an element of surprise or irony to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "as it turned out" in close proximity within your text, as it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it turned out" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a clause or sentence to express the actual result or consequence of a situation, often contrary to initial expectations. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as it turned out" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce unexpected outcomes or results that contrast with initial expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Its frequency across diverse sources, particularly in news and academic writing, underscores its reliability and utility. While semantically related phrases like "in the end" or "eventually" exist, they lack the element of surprise inherent in "as it turned out". When incorporating this phrase into your writing, aim for impactful placement and avoid overuse to maintain its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it transpired that

More formal and emphasizes the gradual discovery of information.

it emerged that

Highlights the revealing of something previously unknown or unclear.

in the end

Focuses on the final result, omitting the element of surprise or unexpectedness.

as it happened

Emphasizes the element of chance or coincidence in the outcome.

it later became clear

Highlights the delayed understanding of the result.

eventually

Indicates a result achieved over time, rather than a surprising revelation.

as things unfolded

Focuses on the gradual process of events leading to the outcome.

in retrospect

Focuses on understanding the outcome from a later point in time.

subsequently

Indicates something that happened after a prior event.

upon reflection

Indicates a result understood after careful thought.

FAQs

How can I use "as it turned out" in a sentence?

Use "as it turned out" to introduce an unexpected result or a situation that unfolded differently than initially anticipated. For example: "I thought the presentation would be a disaster, but, "as it turned out", it was a great success."

What are some alternatives to "as it turned out"?

You can use alternatives like "in the end", "eventually", or "it transpired that" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "as it turns out" instead of "as it turned out"?

While "as it turns out" is grammatically correct, it suggests an outcome that is currently being revealed. "As it turned out" refers to a past event or situation that has already been resolved.

What's the difference between "as it turned out" and "as it seemed"?

"As it turned out" introduces an actual, often surprising, outcome. "As it seemed" introduces something that appeared to be true but might not have been, focusing on perception rather than reality.