they turned out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they turned out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the result or outcome of a situation, event, or process. Example: "Despite the challenges, they turned out to be a successful team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They turned out to be half-right.

The New York Times - Arts

In fact, they turned out terribly.

The New Yorker

They turned out to be pharmacologically inert.

The Economist

They turned out to be right.

The New York Times

They turned out to be amazing.

Cornell University

They turned out to be our notch. . . .

The New Yorker

They turned out to vary greatly.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, they turned out to be right.

The Guardian - Tech

"Today, they turned out to be everything".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Will they turn out?

The New York Times

How they turn out is quite another.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they turned out" to clearly indicate the result or consequence of a previous action, prediction, or expectation. This phrase is most effective when the outcome was not initially obvious or certain.

Common error

Avoid using "they turned out" when the subject is singular. Ensure the pronoun "they" accurately refers to a plural subject to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they turned out" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a result, outcome, or the eventual state of something or someone. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it often describes whether expectations or predictions were met.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they turned out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe a final result or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and the phrase is common across various contexts, especially in news and media. To use it effectively, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider alternatives like "it resulted in" for varied expression. When writing, focus on accuracy, audience, and clarity of expression. Common errors can be avoided by understanding the structure of the phrase and ensuring that it agrees with the subject, which is plural. It is important to ensure the subject is plural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it resulted in

Focuses on the result or consequence of a situation.

it ended up being

Highlights the final state or condition something reached.

it proved to be

Emphasizes the verification or confirmation of a particular quality.

it became clear that

Focuses on the gradual unveiling of a truth or understanding.

the outcome was

Directly states the final result of an event or process.

the effect was

Highlights the impact or consequence of an action.

the consequence was

Emphasizes the ramification or result of a previous action.

it materialized as

Focuses on the tangible or concrete form something took.

it unfolded as

Highlights the step-by-step revelation of a situation.

in the end, it was

Emphasizes the finality and conclusion of a series of events.

FAQs

How can I use "they turned out" in a sentence?

Use "they turned out" to describe the result or outcome of something. For example: "Civic boosters predicted that 400,000 people would live in the city by 1860. "They turned out" to be half-right."

What can I say instead of "they turned out"?

You can use alternatives like "it resulted in", "it ended up being", or "it proved to be" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "they turn out" instead of "they turned out"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "They turn out" (present tense) suggests a habitual or ongoing process, while "they turned out" (past tense) refers to a specific completed event. For instance, "Every year, many students "they turn out" for the science fair", versus "they turned out to be excellent scientists."

What is the difference between "they turned out" and "they came out"?

"They turned out" usually implies a result or outcome, whereas "they came out" often refers to appearing or becoming known. Example: "The experiment showed that they turned out to be beneficial", compared to "they came out to support the cause."