fire went out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fire went out" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to a fire that was extinguished or to describe a past event, like a campfire or a candle being blown out. For example: "The campfire was burning brightly, but as soon as the wind picked up, the fire went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The fire went out, slowly.

The New York Times

DALANZADGAD, Mongolia — The fire went out at 3 a.m.

The New York Times

When the fire went out, there were no brown stains, only smudges of soot.

The New Yorker

There were no reported injuries, and the brief fire went out by itself.

The New York Times

— in half, and once the embers hit the sand the fire went out".

The New Yorker

This theory would then have it that the fire went out before damaging the exterior of the plane, which flew on autopilot until its fuel ran out.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Had the fire gone out?

The New Yorker

One fire goes out and another pops up.

The Guardian - Music

And, you know, when that fire goes out, hopefully the next one isn't sugar.

The Guardian - Music

It's done when the fire goes out, the waiter says.

The New York Times - Food

But as the fire goes out in the West, the eastern countries are shivering and looking for shelter elsewhere.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fire went out" when describing the end of a fire or combustion process, whether literal or metaphorical, across various contexts.

Common error

Don't confuse "fire went out" with phrases like "fire went off", which typically refers to a weapon being discharged or an alarm being triggered. "Fire went out" specifically means the combustion stopped.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fire went out" functions as a declarative statement indicating the termination of a burning process. It combines a noun ("fire") with a verb phrase ("went out") to express a completed action. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fire went out" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the cessation of a fire or burning process. As Ludwig confirms, it's versatile enough for both literal and metaphorical contexts. Its frequency is highest in News & Media, with Wiki and Science also being relevant contexts. Remember to choose this phrase when you want to clearly state that a fire has stopped burning, and avoid confusing it with similar-sounding phrases that have different meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fire was extinguished

Focuses on the action of putting out the fire, rather than the fire's state.

flames died down

Describes the gradual reduction in intensity, not necessarily complete cessation.

fire ceased burning

A more formal way of expressing the end of combustion.

fire burned out

Implies the fire stopped due to lack of fuel.

embers faded

Focuses on the remaining hot material after the main fire has stopped.

blaze was put out

Emphasizes the active intervention to stop the fire.

combustion stopped

A scientific and formal way to state the end of burning.

the burning stopped

General phrase indicating the cessation of burning.

fire sputtered out

Describes a fire that diminishes quickly and unevenly.

flame vanished

Emphasizes the disappearance of the flame itself.

FAQs

How can I use "fire went out" in a sentence?

You can use "fire went out" to describe the cessation of burning in various contexts. For example, "The campfire was enjoyable until the "fire went out"." or "After his initial burst of enthusiasm, the "fire went out" of the project."

What's a more formal way to say "fire went out"?

A more formal alternative to "fire went out" could be "the combustion ceased" or "the fire was extinguished" depending on the specific context. These phrases are suitable for scientific or technical writing.

Can "fire went out" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "fire went out" can be used metaphorically to describe a loss of passion, enthusiasm, or energy. For example, "The "fire went out" of their relationship after years of conflict."

Which is correct: "fire went out" or "the fire is out"?

"Fire went out" describes a completed action in the past, while "the fire is out" describes the current state. Both are correct, but they convey different meanings. For example, "The "fire went out" an hour ago" versus "The "fire went out"; the camping trip is ruined".