he was out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was not present or was unavailable at a certain time. Example: "When I arrived at the party, I found out that he was out running errands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"He was out".

The New York Times - Magazine

"He was out in Bakersfield.

The New Yorker

He was out on bond.

The New Yorker

"He was out, man.

The Guardian

He was out cold.

The New York Times - Sports

He was out on his feet.

The Guardian - Sport

"That's why he was out there.

The New York Times - Sports

He was out for a duck.

The Economist

He was out for the year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was out-muscled.

BBC

He was out-voted.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was out" when indicating someone's absence or unavailability in a specific context. Ensure clarity by providing context, such as "He was out of the office" or "He was out on assignment".

Common error

Avoid using "he was out" in situations where a more specific term is needed. For instance, instead of saying "he was out of money", it's clearer to say "he had no money left".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was out" primarily functions as a statement of absence, unavailability, or a condition of being unconscious. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

25%

General Conversation

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was out" is a versatile and commonly used expression in English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and has various applications, ranging from describing someone's absence to indicating a state of unconsciousness or exclusion. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it also appears in sports reporting and general conversation. For clarity, consider providing context to specify the intended meaning, such as "he was out of the office" or "he was out cold". Alternatives like "he had left" or "he was absent" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he wasn't there

Directly states the absence of someone.

he had left

Focuses on the action of leaving a place or situation.

he was absent

Emphasizes the state of being away or not present.

he had departed

A more formal way of saying he left.

he was unavailable

Indicates that someone was not accessible or able to be reached.

he was finished

Suggests completion or termination of an activity or involvement.

he was eliminated

Implies removal from a competition or selection process.

he was dismissed

Indicates being removed from a job or position.

he was released

Signifies being freed from custody or obligation.

he was discharged

Similar to 'released', often used in formal or military contexts.

FAQs

What does "he was out" mean?

The phrase "he was out" typically means that someone was not present at a specific location or was unavailable at a certain time. It can also imply being unconscious or no longer involved in something.

What can I say instead of "he was out"?

You can use alternatives like "he had left", "he was absent", or "he wasn't there" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "he was out" in a sentence?

You can use "he was out" to describe someone's absence: "He was out of the office today." Or to describe someone being unconscious: "He was out cold after the accident."

Is it correct to say "he was out of" something?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "he was out of" is often used to indicate a lack of something, such as "He was out of time" or "He was out of money".