out of

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate the source or origin of something, or to refer to the removal or separation of a certain quantity of one item from a greater mass or group. For example: "I got the last piece of cake out of the box."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Out of danger, out of harm.

The New Yorker

Running out of steam.

The Economist

Getting out of town?

The New Yorker

Out of respect, out of honor.

The New York Times - Sports

Out of sight, out of their control.

The New York Times

Out of nowhere".

The New York Times

Out of shape.

The New York Times - Health

Out of their reach.

Independent

Finally out of date?

The New York Times - Health

I'm out of stuff.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Out-of-quota tariff.

FAO

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of" to clearly indicate the reason, source, or material from which something originates. For example, "She created a sculpture out of recycled materials."

Common error

Avoid using "off of" when "out of" is more appropriate. "Off of" implies physical separation from a surface, while "out of" indicates origin or content. For example, say "He took the book out of the bag," not "He took the book off of the bag."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "out of" is as a preposition, indicating relationships such as origin, source, motive, or absence. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of" functions primarily as a preposition, serving to indicate relationships of origin, reason, material, or absence. Ludwig AI validates its use across a wide spectrum of contexts. This phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication, although it appears more frequently in news and media, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, avoid confusing it with "off of", especially when denoting origin rather than physical separation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without

Expresses the absence of something, comparable to being "out of" supplies.

lacking

Indicates a deficiency or absence of something, similar to being "out of" a resource.

no longer having

Conveys the state of being without something previously possessed, akin to running "out of" time.

derived from

Implies an origin or source, akin to something coming "out of" a particular place or situation.

due to

Indicates a reason or cause, similar to performing an action "out of" obligation.

resulting from

Indicates a consequence or outcome originating from something, like an action "out of" necessity.

motivated by

Highlights the underlying reason or impetus for an action, similar to doing something "out of" a certain feeling.

stemming from

Highlights the origin or cause of something, similar to an effect "out of" a specific cause.

excluded from

Suggests being not part of a group or category, mirroring the sense of being "out of" something.

sourced from

Specifies the origin or provider of something, akin to obtaining materials "out of" a specific location.

FAQs

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

You can use "out of" to indicate source, reason, or absence. For example, "She did it "out of kindness"", "The product is made "out of recycled materials"", or "We are "out of milk"".

What are some alternatives to "out of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lacking", "due to", "resulting from", or "derived from".

Is it correct to say "off of" instead of "out of"?

While "off of" can be used to describe something physically detaching from a surface, it's often better to use "out of" when indicating origin or content. "Out of" is more versatile and grammatically preferred in many contexts.

What's the difference between "out of" and "from"?

"Out of" implies a more direct origin or immediate source, while "from" can indicate a more general origin or cause. For instance, "He built a house "out of wood"" suggests the wood was the primary material, whereas "He learned the news "from a friend"" indicates the friend was the source of information.