going out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of leaving a place, often for social activities or events. Example: "We are going out for dinner tonight to celebrate our anniversary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Going out?

Independent

I love going out.

The New York Times

"Nobody is going out.

The New York Times

Going Out of Business.

The New Yorker

"Going out, clothing, taxis.

The New York Times

Not going out.

Independent

And going out.

The Guardian - Film

"I'm not going out.

The New York Times

Instead of going out.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

« Going out — or home?

University of California, Berkeley

"It's mainly people going out".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the formality of the situation. "Going out" is generally informal and may not be suitable for all contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "going out" without any additional context. Saying "I'm going out" can be ambiguous. Specify where you are going, such as "I'm going out for a walk" or "I'm going out with friends".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going out" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It commonly describes the act of leaving a place for social or recreational purposes. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples illustrating its versatile usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

21%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going out" is a common and versatile gerund phrase primarily used to describe the act of leaving a place, often for social or recreational purposes. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its wide usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic settings, and informal conversations. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it's essential to provide context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "stepping out" or "heading out" for nuanced expression. As Ludwig examples show, specifying the activity following "going out"—such as "going out for dinner"—enhances clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stepping out

Focuses on the action of leaving a place briefly or for a specific purpose.

heading out

Implies a direction or destination when leaving a place.

leaving the house

Specifically refers to the act of departing from one's home.

partying

Highlights the social and celebratory aspect of going out.

socializing

Emphasizes the interaction with others when going out.

clubbing

Refers specifically to going to nightclubs for entertainment.

out on the town

Suggests a leisurely and enjoyable experience of exploring the city.

off to

Implies starting a journey or heading towards a destination.

taking off

Indicates a quick or sudden departure.

exiting

A more formal term for leaving a place.

FAQs

What does "going out" mean?

"Going out" generally refers to leaving one's home or current location for social activities, entertainment, or other purposes such as errands or travel. It can also mean "dating someone exclusively".

What are some alternatives to "going out"?

You can use alternatives like "stepping out", "heading out", or "leaving the house" depending on the context.

Is "going out" formal or informal?

"Going out" is generally considered informal. For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "attending an event" or "making an appearance".

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

You can use "going out" in a sentence like this: "We are going out for dinner tonight" or "She enjoys going out with her friends on weekends".