he figured out that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he figured out that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone has come to understand or solve a problem. Example: "After hours of research, he figured out that the solution to the issue was much simpler than he initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He figured out that you killed Danielle.

The New York Times - Magazine

Eventually, he figured out that she had a new boyfriend.

The New Yorker

"He figured out that the problem with previous China dating sites was face".

The New York Times

He figured out that speech recognition could, in essence, be reduced to math.

The New York Times

He figured out that certain characters were logograms — pictures that stand for words.

The New York Times - Books

He figured out that we don't truly want the genuine community of a Milan coffee bar.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

This is about the time he could use some of that "Donnie Darko" bravery -- you know, once he figures out that whole demented bunny thing.

Huffington Post

I just told him generally what happened between you and me at the tuition and he himself figured out that something was wrong after I left the tuition".

Huffington Post

I don't know if he's going to follow me if he figures out that I'm Muslim.

The Guardian

Only later did he figure out that he had smiled because neither he nor his family members nor his friends had been killed, and because he would never have been so foolish as to play on railroad tracks.

The New York Times

Seems like he figure out that particular euphemism.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a more formal alternative like "he ascertained that" or a more informal option like "he found out that" would be more appropriate.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "he figured out that" can sound too casual in formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "he concluded that" or "he determined that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he figured out that" functions as a clause connector, introducing a subordinate clause that explains what someone has come to understand or realize. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, primarily within news and media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he figured out that" is a grammatically sound and common way to express that someone has come to an understanding or solution. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While appropriate in many contexts, it leans towards a neutral register, making it suitable for news and general communication, as shown by the prevalent usage in sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "he concluded that" or "he ascertained that". Overall, it is a versatile phrase that effectively communicates the realization of understanding, and its presence in numerous authoritative sources underscores its acceptance and utility in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he realized that

Direct synonym, focusing on the moment of understanding.

he understood that

Highlights comprehension after a period of confusion or uncertainty.

he discovered that

Emphasizes finding something previously unknown.

he found out that

More informal way of saying he discovered something.

he ascertained that

More formal, suggesting a careful or methodical discovery.

he came to the conclusion that

Focuses on the end result of reasoning or investigation.

he deduced that

Implies logical reasoning leading to the understanding.

he gathered that

Suggests forming an understanding from indirect evidence.

he learned that

Implies acquiring knowledge, often through experience.

it dawned on him that

Focuses on a sudden, clear realization.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he figured out that"?

You can use alternatives like "he realized that", "he understood that", or "he discovered that" depending on the context.

Is "he figured out that" formal or informal?

"He figured out that" is generally considered to be more informal. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "he concluded that" or "he determined that".

How to use "he figured out that" in a sentence?

You can use "he figured out that" to explain how someone understood or solved something. For example: "After analyzing the data, "he figured out that" the error was in the initial calculation."

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

While both phrases imply discovery, ""he figured out that"" suggests more effort or reasoning was involved, whereas "he found out that" can mean simply learning something without effort.