figured out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "figured out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express the idea of having come to understand something through careful thought or analysis. For example, you might say, "After careful consideration, I figured out the answer to the math problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They figured out hotel accommodations.

The New York Times - Sports

They've got it figured out".

The New Yorker

They figured out every angle.

The New York Times

We'll get it figured out".

The New York Times - Sports

You have actually figured out your answer.

The New York Times

Dr. Kram figured out a way.

The New York Times

"They've figured out the marketing tool.

The New York Times - Tech

Years later, he figured out the truth.

The New Yorker

"She figured out minimal objects," Ovitz said.

The New Yorker

"Guess what I just figured out".

The New Yorker

And I soon figured out why.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "figured out" when you want to emphasize the process of understanding or solving something through effort and thought. It's particularly suitable when describing overcoming a challenge or puzzle.

Common error

While "figured out" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "determined" or "ascertained" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "figured out" primarily functions as the past tense of the verb "figure out", indicating the completion of the process of understanding or solving something. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing the resolution of problems or discovery of solutions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "figured out" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb, primarily functioning to indicate the completion of understanding or solving something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted in written English, but can be overly informal in some contexts. Ludwig's examples indicate that its usage spans across diverse sources, including News & Media and Science. While "figured out" is generally acceptable, remember to consider the formality of your writing and choose alternatives like "understood" or "determined" when appropriate to maintain the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked out

Similar in meaning, but can also imply resolving a logistical issue, whereas "figured out" emphasizes cognition.

understood

Implies a basic comprehension, lacking the effort suggested by "figured out".

grasped

Indicates a quick understanding, while "figured out" can imply a more prolonged process.

discovered

Focuses on the act of finding something, where "figured out" emphasizes understanding.

realized

Focuses on becoming aware of something, not necessarily understanding how it works.

solved

Implies a resolution to a problem, a narrower scope than "figured out".

unraveled

Suggests untangling a complex or mysterious situation.

determined

Highlights the process of reaching a firm decision or conclusion.

decoded

Implies uncovering a hidden meaning or pattern.

ascertained

More formal and implies a careful and objective investigation.

FAQs

How to use "figured out" in a sentence?

You can use "figured out" to describe the process of understanding or solving something, as in, "After hours of research, I "figured out" the solution to the problem."

What can I say instead of "figured out"?

You can use alternatives like "understood", "discovered", or "solved", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "figure it out" or "figure out it"?

The correct phrasing is "figure it out". The particle 'out' should follow the pronoun 'it'.

What's the difference between "figured out" and "found out"?

"Figured out" implies understanding something through reasoning or effort, while "found out" simply means learning something, regardless of the method.