it turned out that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it turned out that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that you thought or believed to be true before it was confirmed or revealed. For example: "It turned out that the house was actually much cheaper than we expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not, it turned out, that close.

Independent

It turned out that was unnecessary.

The New York Times - Sports

Nor has it turned out that way.

The Economist

Why hasn't it turned out that way?

The New York Times

As it turned out, that was the worst possible response.

Columbia University

As it turned out, that was a disaster.

Harvard University

IT turned out that wasn't even necessary.

The New York Times

Not that it turned out that way.

The New York Times - Sports

It turned out that wasn't true.

The New York Times

As it turned out, that was a slight understatement.

The New York Times - Sports

As it turned out, that hope was a forlorn one.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it turned out that" to introduce a discovery or realization, especially when contrasting it with previous beliefs or assumptions.

Common error

While acceptable in most contexts, avoid using "it turned out that" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "it was revealed that" or "it emerged that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it turned out that" functions as a sentence opener or introductory phrase. It introduces a statement that reveals the actual outcome or situation, often contrasting with previous expectations or assumptions. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it turned out that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a discovery or realization, often contrasting with previous beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. Although very common, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal settings, where alternatives like "it emerged that" might be more suitable. With its frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "it turned out that" remains a valuable tool for writers seeking to reveal unexpected truths.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as things turned out

Similar in meaning but slightly more conversational.

it emerged that

More formal and implies information coming to light gradually.

it was revealed that

Emphasizes the act of something being disclosed.

it became apparent that

Focuses on the gradual realization of something.

it transpired that

A more formal and less common alternative.

as it happened

More concise, focusing on the occurrence.

contrary to expectations

Highlights a result that differs from what was anticipated.

in the end

Highlights the final result after a process.

ultimately

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of the outcome.

eventually

Focuses on the passage of time before the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "it turned out that" in a sentence?

Use "it turned out that" to introduce a fact that was discovered or became known, often unexpectedly. For example, "We thought the project would fail, but "it turned out that" it was a great success."

What are some alternatives to "it turned out that"?

Alternatives include "it emerged that", "it became apparent that", or "as things turned out". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it turns out that" instead of "it turned out that"?

While "it turns out that" (present tense) is also correct, ""it turned out that"" (past tense) is used when referring to a past discovery or realization. "It turns out that" is used for current discoveries.

What's the difference between "it turned out that" and "it seems that"?

"It turned out that" indicates a confirmed fact or discovery, while "it seems that" suggests an appearance or impression that may not be definitively proven.