to come out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to come out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing someone revealing their sexual orientation or expressing an opinion or idea publicly. Example: "After years of hiding his true self, he finally decided to come out to his friends and family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That had to come out.

The New York Times

"He deserves to come out.

The New York Times - Magazine

They have to come out.

The New Yorker

"We have to come out".

The New York Times

Marina had to come out.

The New Yorker

Everything seems to come out a cliche.

The New Yorker

You ought to come out to California.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm ready to come out now".

The New York Times

It was safe to come out again.

The New York Times

Is she going to come out?

The New York Times - Arts

No one seemed to come out ahead.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to come out" in the context of revealing a secret or personal information, consider the audience and the potential impact of the revelation. Ensure the timing and method of disclosure are appropriate for the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "to come out" in situations where a more direct or specific verb would be clearer. For example, instead of saying "The details will come out soon", consider "The details will be revealed soon" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to come out" is as a phrasal verb, often functioning as an intransitive verb indicating emergence, disclosure, or revelation. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "to come out" is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, ranging from revealing information to publicly disclosing one's identity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider the specific context to ensure clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations. While generally neutral, "to come out" carries significant weight in personal contexts, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be revealed

Highlights the uncovering or disclosure of something previously hidden, like "to come out" in revealing a secret.

to emerge

Focuses on the act of appearing or becoming visible, similar to "to come out" in the sense of becoming known.

to be disclosed

Stresses the act of formally revealing information, much like "to come out" in certain formal contexts.

to speak out

Highlights the act of expressing one's views publicly, akin to "to come out" when voicing an opinion.

to be released

Emphasizes the act of something being made available or public, akin to "to come out" in revealing information.

to step forward

Emphasizes taking action to reveal oneself or one's beliefs, similar to "to come out" in the context of personal disclosure.

to go public

Specifically refers to making something known to the general public, comparable to "to come out" in the context of disclosure.

to break

Focuses on news or information becoming public suddenly, like "to come out" in the sense of a story being revealed.

to be published

Highlights the act of making something available in written form, similar to "to come out" when referring to a book or article.

to debut

Refers to a first public appearance or performance, similar to "to come out" in the sense of a first showing.

FAQs

How can I use "to come out" in a sentence?

You can use "to come out" in various contexts, such as "The truth will "come out" eventually" or "She decided "to come out" to her family".

What does "to come out" mean in the context of LGBTQ+?

In the LGBTQ+ context, "to come out" means to publicly disclose one's sexual orientation or gender identity. It's a personal journey and decision for each individual.

What can I say instead of "to come out" when referring to a product release?

When referring to a product release, you can use alternatives like "to be released", "to be launched", or "to be unveiled" depending on the context.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "to come out"?

Yes, it can be inappropriate to pressure someone to ""come out"" before they are ready. It is also insensitive to use the phrase lightly when discussing trivial matters, especially given its significance in the LGBTQ+ community.