thing out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thing out" is not correct in standard written English.
It appears to be a truncation or misphrasing of a more common expression. Example: "I need to figure this thing out."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm worried he'll carry this thing out".

The New York Times

And I'm the scariest thing out here".

The New Yorker

We got to figure this thing out and keep going".

The New York Times - Sports

"We've got to figure this thing out because it's ridiculous".

The New York Times

So I hope they work this whole thing out".

The New York Times

"Just get down to business and figure this thing out".

The New York Times

I pull this thing out and play with it".

The New York Times - Books

Can you black people just figure that thing out?

The Washington Post

The two companies worked thing out, but regulators have not.

Forbes

"Get this thing out!

Los Angeles Times

"McCain can pull this thing out".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thing out", consider your audience. In formal writing or professional contexts, opt for clearer and more grammatically standard alternatives like "figure out" or "sort out".

Common error

Avoid using "thing out" in academic papers or business reports. Substitute it with more precise and formal language such as "resolve the matter" or "clarify the situation" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thing out" primarily functions as part of a phrasal verb or expression, often indicating the resolution, understanding, or removal of something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a truncation or misphrasing of a more common expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

23%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "thing out" appears frequently in various contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. Ludwig AI suggests that it is a truncation. Its usage spans from news media to academic settings, though its informality makes it less suitable for professional writing. Alternatives like "figure something out" or "sort something out" offer more precise and grammatically sound options, especially in formal contexts. When using "thing out", consider your audience and the desired level of formality to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

figure something out

More specific; implies resolving or understanding a particular problem or situation.

sort something out

Implies resolving a problem or organizing something that is disorganized.

work something out

Similar to 'figure out', but often suggests a collaborative effort or negotiation.

resolve an issue

A more formal way of saying 'sort something out', suitable for professional contexts.

clear something up

Suggests removing confusion or misunderstanding about something.

iron something out

Implies smoothing out minor problems or disagreements.

straighten something out

Similar to 'sort out', but often used when something is tangled or complex.

unpack something

This implies detailed analysis and understanding.

puzzle something out

Emphasizes the difficulty or complexity of understanding something.

tease something out

This implies a slow and careful extraction of information or understanding.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "thing out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "figure something out", "sort something out", or "work something out".

Is it grammatically correct to use "thing out" in formal writing?

No, "thing out" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It's better to use more precise and grammatically standard alternatives.

How do I know when to use "figure out" instead of "thing out"?

"Figure out" is a more specific and grammatically correct alternative to "thing out". Use "figure something out" when you want to emphasize resolving or understanding a particular problem or situation.

What's the difference between "sort something out" and "thing out"?

"Sort something out" implies resolving a problem or organizing something that is disorganized. "Thing out" is a less precise and less grammatically correct way to express a similar idea.