turns out

USAGE SUMMARY

"turns out" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is different than one initially thought, or to introduce a surprising or unexpected fact. For example: "It turns out that the vacation rental was actually more expensive than a hotel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lots, it turns out.

The New York Times

Yes, it turns out.

The New York Times

It turns out helpful.

The New York Times - Books

It turns out plenty.

The New York Times

Turns out, it's not.

Independent

Very, it turns out.

The New York Times

Turns out, they can".

Independent

Badly, it turns out.

The Economist

Both, it turns out.

The New York Times - Sports

Turns out, no.

The New Yorker

Plenty, it turns out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turns out" to introduce a fact or situation that contrasts with what was previously believed or expected. This adds an element of surprise or revelation to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "turns out" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in many contexts, more sophisticated alternatives like "it emerges that" or "it is revealed that" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Turns out functions as an idiomatic verb phrase used to introduce information that contrasts with a previous belief or expectation. Ludwig examples showcase its common usage in revealing surprising or unexpected outcomes. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English to indicate that something is different than one initially thought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Turns out, a common idiomatic phrase, serves to introduce information that contrasts with prior assumptions or expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English for indicating unexpected revelations. The phrase is versatile, appearing frequently in news, media, and academic contexts. While generally neutral in register, writers should consider more formal alternatives in highly academic or scientific writing. When using "turns out", ensure it introduces a genuine contrast to add impact and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it turns out to be

Similar meaning but introduces a specific characteristic or state.

it is discovered that

Emphasizes the finding or uncovering of new information.

as it happens

Emphasizes the element of chance or coincidence in the discovery.

it becomes clear

Highlights the process of understanding something previously unknown.

as it transpires

Implies a more formal or gradual unfolding of events leading to the revelation.

it is revealed that

Focuses on the act of unveiling or disclosing information.

it emerges that

Suggests that information is coming to light after a period of obscurity.

it proves to be

Indicates that something is confirmed or validated over time.

in reality

Similar to "in actuality", emphasizing the difference between perception and fact.

in actuality

Contrasts with a previous assumption or expectation, indicating the true state of affairs.

FAQs

How can I use "turns out" in a sentence?

"Turns out" is used to introduce something that was discovered or something that happened unexpectedly. For example, "I thought the test would be easy, but it "turns out" it was quite difficult."

What can I say instead of "turns out"?

You can use alternatives like "as it happens", "it emerges that", or "it is discovered that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "turn out" instead of "turns out"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "turn out" for plural subjects (e.g., "things turn out well") and "turns out" for singular subjects (e.g., "it turns out well").

What's the difference between "it turns out that" and "it seems that"?

"It turns out that" indicates a discovery or realization, while "it seems that" suggests an appearance or impression that may or may not be true.