out

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate something has ended (e.g. "It's out of our hands") or to indicate something is outside a certain area or boundary (e.g. "The ball is out of bounds"). Here is an example sentence: "We need to figure out a way to get out of this mess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It was a judgment on our failure to move out of the comfort zone of critiquing the Tories and instead set out a positive alternative.

The Guardian

"That means they have got to be rooted out by ground troops.

The Guardian

It's a big deal what happened and Jeremy, as any human being would, needs some time out".

The Guardian

There is a need to lay out more clearly than ever before what being a British Muslim means today: proud of your faith and proud of your country.

The Guardian

"And you know, she's got a voice that she wants to get out there".

The Guardian

And so it turned out.

The Guardian

And on Tuesday night, we found out that the majority of Americans agree with my approach".

The New York Times

Nasdaq's rules state broadly that independent directors cannot have a relationship that "would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director".

The New York Times

It's not hard to figure out why.

The New York Times - Food

But our core voters turned out.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN, said it was "ironic to say the least" that Russia produced the motion at the same time as it was "backing an all-out assault" in Ukraine despite the ceasefire.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out" to indicate location, direction, or state of being. Always check the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear (e.g., "out of office", "look out", "the truth is out").

Common error

Avoid using "out" when a more specific term is appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "he went out", consider "he left" or "he exited" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "out" functions primarily as an adverb indicating direction or location away from a place or state. It also serves as a preposition, adjective, noun, and verb. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage across different grammatical roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

31%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "out" demonstrates remarkable versatility, functioning as an adverb, preposition, adjective, noun, and verb with distinct meanings depending on context. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse grammatical roles. Its communicative purpose spans from indicating location or direction to signifying completion or revelation. As a neutral term, it is suitable for various registers, and the examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Economist, confirm its frequent use in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discourse. Remember to consider the context when using "out" to ensure the intended meaning is clear, and explore alternative phrases to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outside

Indicates a location beyond an enclosed space or boundary. It's a direct synonym often used spatially.

away

Implies absence from a place or state, focusing on the removal or separation aspect.

finished

Signifies the completion of an activity or state, highlighting the endpoint.

revealed

Suggests making something known or visible, emphasizing the act of uncovering.

public

Emphasizes the state of being known or accessible to everyone, focusing on openness.

no longer in

Emphasizes the cessation of being within a certain state or condition.

ejected

Implies a forceful removal or expulsion from a place or position.

disclosed

Suggests the unveiling of information, typically something previously hidden or secret.

beyond

Indicates a position or state exceeding certain limits or boundaries.

released

Signifies the act of setting free or making available after a period of constraint.

FAQs

How can I use "out" in a sentence?

The word "out" is versatile and can be used as an adverb, preposition, adjective, noun, or verb depending on the context. For example: "Let's eat "eat out" (adverb), "He threw it "threw it out" the door (preposition), "Their newest CD is "CD is out" (adjective), "They wrote the law to give those organizations an "give those organizations an out" (noun), "A Brazilian company "company outed" the new mobile phone design (verb).

What are some alternatives to using "out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "outside", "away", "finished", or "revealed".

Is it correct to say "out of" versus just "out"?

Both "out" and "out of" are correct, but they serve different grammatical functions. "Out" can function as an adverb or adjective, while "out of" functions as a preposition. For instance, "He is out" (adverb) vs. "He is out of the office" (preposition).

What does it mean when someone says they are "out"?

The meaning of "out" varies based on context. It could mean they are no longer participating in something, they are physically outside, or they have revealed a secret. For example, "I'm "I'm out"" could mean "I quit", or "I'm going "going out"" means they are leaving a place.