transpire

USAGE SUMMARY

"transpire" is correct and useful in written English.
It can be used to mean "become known" or "happen," and is often used in formal situations. Example: "It soon transpired that the CEO had lied about his qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Martin Nesirky told a news conference: "We all understand that there is a lack of trust between parties, and therefore we all understand that we cannot be sure yet what will transpire, but the hope is that guns will fall silent for the people of Syria, so that they have peace and quiet during this holy holiday".

The Guardian

The chancellor appeared confident about the government's ability to reduce public spending by 2014-15 despite "grave concerns" expressed in a report published today by the public accounts committee, which found that the last cost-cutting programme had stalled and many of the intended savings did not actually transpire.

The Guardian

Their stand has been touchingly unco-ordinated; more effective, it may transpire, for seeming heartfelt rather than conspiratorial.

The Economist

That would be good, and may one day transpire.

The Economist

Precisely what will transpire is unclear, but it seems likely that government health schemes will demand bigger discounts from drug suppliers.

The Economist

Then the two countries may opt for a partial agreement, or let their confrontation continue at the same level, or see it deteriorate and become even more dangerous.There are two other outcomes, both of them devoutly wished for by some Americans, that seem unlikely to transpire.

The Economist

Goat Mountain, the devilish hill on which these events transpire, remains a closed and terrible world.Mr Vann's work is death-haunted.

The Economist

Although the overwhelming majority of events that can transpire in baseball over a brief time period cannot be distinguished statistically from random variation, a handful of accomplishments are so rare that even a single game can contain impressive predictive power.

The Economist

Alternatively, it may transpire that this was a botched kidnapping; four other hostages were released by Mali-based jihadists last week, for a reported $20m ransom.

The Economist

Whatever is about to transpire in Taiwan, he implies, cannot be as bad as what has happened in those other places.

The Economist

By contrast, grasslands and crops in open fields transpire no more than 10% of the precipitation they receive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "transpire" to denote events coming to light or becoming known, especially when conveying a sense of gradual revelation or unexpected development.

Common error

While "transpire" can mean 'to happen', it often carries a connotation of gradual unfolding or revelation. Avoid using it as a direct replacement for simpler verbs like 'happen' or 'occur' when that nuance is not intended.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "transpire" is as an intransitive verb, indicating that something happens or becomes known. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in reporting events and revelations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "transpire" is a verb that indicates something happening or becoming known, often with a sense of gradual revelation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and useful application in written English, primarily in formal contexts. While it can be used interchangeably with 'happen' or 'occur', it carries a nuanced connotation of unfolding events. Its high frequency in news, encyclopedias, and formal business writing makes it a valuable addition to a writer's vocabulary, particularly when aiming for a sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become known

Directly indicates that something is being revealed or discovered.

come to pass

Focuses on the actual occurrence of an event, similar to "transpire" in its 'happen' meaning.

come to light

Emphasizes the revealing of information that was previously hidden or unknown, mirroring "transpire's" sense of becoming known.

occur

A more formal synonym for "happen", often used in similar contexts as "transpire".

take place

Simple alternative to indicate an event happened, focusing on the action of happening.

unfold

Suggests a gradual revealing or development of events, adding a sense of progression.

arise

Highlights the beginning or emergence of a situation or event.

materialize

Indicates something becoming real or actual, often unexpectedly.

surface

Focuses on information or issues becoming apparent after being hidden or latent.

eventuate

A more formal way to say something results or happens, often after a period of time.

FAQs

How do you use "transpire" in a sentence?

"Transpire" can be used to describe events that happen or become known. For example, "It soon transpired that the meeting had been canceled."

What's the difference between "transpire" and "occur"?

While both words refer to events taking place, "transpire" often implies a gradual unfolding or a revelation of information, whereas "occur" is a more general term for something happening.

What can I say instead of "transpire"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "come to pass", "become known", or "take place".

Is it correct to use "transpire" simply to mean "happen"?

While "transpire" can mean "happen", it's often perceived as more formal and carries a subtle implication of gradual revelation. Consider whether that nuance is appropriate for your context.