to find out

USAGE SUMMARY

"to find out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are searching for information. For example, "I decided to talk to the people involved in the project to find out what really happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

RT to find out!

Independent

We need to find out".

Independent

Trying to find out more.

The New York Times

We're going to find out".

The New York Times

I want to find out".

Independent

"It's time to find out".

Independent

I needed to find out".

The New York Times

Write to find out".

The New Yorker

See golakes.co.uk to find out more.

Independent

She's waiting to find out more.

The New York Times

Click below to find out more.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to find out" when you want to emphasize the process of discovering information, especially after some effort or investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "to find out" interchangeably with phrases like "to find" if the context doesn't involve a process of discovery or investigation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to find out" is as an infinitive phrase functioning as an adverbial of purpose. It modifies a verb, indicating the reason or objective behind an action. As Ludwig mentions, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to find out" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating the purpose of an action: to gain information. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Though neutral in register, it appears most frequently in news and media, and also on wikis. Remember that this phrase is about the process of discovery. For alternatives, you can use phrases like "to discover" or "to ascertain", depending on the context. Use "to find out" when the process of discovering information after some investigation is part of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to discover

Focuses on the act of uncovering something previously unknown.

to ascertain

Emphasizes establishing something with certainty.

to learn

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge or skill.

to determine

Implies a more formal or systematic investigation.

to investigate

Suggests a detailed and thorough inquiry.

to explore

Focuses on examining something in detail.

to inquire

Implies asking questions to gather information.

to check

Suggests a brief examination for accuracy or condition.

to look into

Implies a preliminary investigation or examination.

to get the details

Informal expression for obtaining specific information.

FAQs

How to use "to find out" in a sentence?

You can use "to find out" in sentences like, "I need to call them "to find out" the delivery time" or "He conducted research "to find out" the truth".

What can I say instead of "to find out"?

You can use alternatives like "to discover", "to ascertain", or "to learn" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to find out" or "to find"?

"To find" simply means to locate something. "To find out" implies a process of investigation or discovery to gain information.

What's the difference between "to find out" and "to investigate"?

"To investigate" suggests a more formal and structured inquiry. "To find out" is a broader term that can include informal means of getting information.