came out

USAGE SUMMARY

"came out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the emergence of something from a place or situation. For example, "The sun came out from behind the clouds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It came out great.

The New Yorker

Nothing came out.

The New Yorker

I came out encouraged".

The New York Times

The sun came out.

The New Yorker

"He came out scared.

The New York Times

It came out perfect.

The New Yorker

"The child came out.

The New York Times

The ball came out".

The New York Times

We came out victorious".

The New York Times - Sports

Alabama came out ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

It came out fine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "came out", ensure the context clearly indicates what is emerging or being revealed. For instance, specify if it's information, a person, or a product.

Common error

Avoid using "came out" without a clear subject. Saying "it came out" without specifying what "it" refers to can confuse the reader. Always provide the subject for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came out" primarily functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as the main verb in a sentence. It describes an action of emerging, appearing, or being revealed. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe the sun appearing, a product being released, or a person revealing something about themselves.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "came out" is a versatile and very common verb phrase used to describe the emergence, release, or revelation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication, although specific meanings may be more common in certain settings. When using "came out", ensure that the subject is clear to avoid ambiguity and choose synonyms like "emerged" or "was released" to provide a more nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emerged

Replaces "came out" with a single-word synonym, focusing on the act of appearing or becoming visible.

was released

Focuses on the act of something being made available to the public, like a product or information.

was revealed

Highlights the unveiling of something previously hidden or unknown.

was published

Specifically refers to the act of making written material available to the public.

stepped out

Implies physically leaving a place or situation to become visible.

unveiled itself

Emphasizes a gradual or dramatic revelation of something.

made an appearance

Highlights the act of showing up or being present in a particular place or event.

saw the light of day

A more idiomatic way of saying something became public or available.

proved to be

Shifts the focus to the eventual result or consequence of something.

turned out

Indicates the final state or condition of something after a period of time or effort.

FAQs

What does "came out" mean?

The phrase "came out" has several meanings, including emerging from a place, being released to the public, or revealing a secret or truth. The specific meaning depends on the context in which it is used.

How can I use "came out" in a sentence?

You can use "came out" to describe something that emerged from a location (e.g., "The sun "came out" from behind the clouds"), a product being released (e.g., "The new album "came out" yesterday"), or someone revealing a personal truth (e.g., "She "came out" as gay").

What are some alternatives to "came out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "emerged", "was released", "was revealed", or "stepped out".

Is "came out" formal or informal?

The formality of "came out" depends on the context. Generally, it is considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, some specific usages (e.g., someone "coming out" about their sexuality) might be more common in informal contexts.