until we find out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until we find out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a period of waiting or uncertainty regarding information that will be discovered or revealed later. Example: "We will continue with the project until we find out if the funding has been approved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just until we find out what's going on.

The Guardian

"Until we find out, it adds risk to the name".

The New York Times

We're happy with our paycheck until we find out our brother-in-law's paycheck is bigger.

University of California, Berkeley

And only four months until we find out how well they've done.

MIT Technology Review

He is suspended right now until we find out what the circumstances are".

The New York Times - Sports

Only a matter of weeks until we find out for certain.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We'll have to wait until next week until we find out whose breast implant this is.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We're keeping the kids away from the marshes until we find out what's happening".

The New York Times

He'll carpet bomb them until we find out "if sand [and innocent civilians] can glow".

The Guardian

"I find it hard to have a view until we find out what's wrong," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm just keeping, as some have heard me say, my powder dry until we find out what the deal is".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "until we find out", ensure the context clearly indicates who "we" refers to and what specific information is being sought. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "until we find out" in contexts where the subject searching for the information is ambiguous. Always ensure the "we" is clearly defined, such as "the team will wait until we find out the test results".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until we find out" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating the duration of a situation or action. Ludwig AI highlights numerous examples where this clause modifies a main clause, specifying when the main clause's action will cease or change. It typically answers the question 'For how long?' or 'When will this stop?'

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until we find out" is a common and grammatically correct temporal clause used to indicate a period of waiting for information. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverbial clause specifying a condition of uncertainty, most frequently appearing in news and media contexts. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or scientific writing. To avoid ambiguity, ensure the subject (the "we") and the information being sought are clearly defined. By considering these factors, you can effectively use "until we find out" to convey pending resolution and uncertainty in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until we know

Simpler and more direct, lacking the investigative implication.

until we determine

More formal and implies a structured investigation or assessment.

before we discover

Emphasizes the act of finding out rather than the state of knowing.

before we have the answer

Directly indicates a lack of current knowledge.

until we ascertain

Highly formal, suggesting a careful and thorough effort to learn something.

until more information is available

Highlights the lack of sufficient details currently.

prior to finding out

More structured phrasing, suitable for formal writing.

while we await confirmation

Focuses on the period of waiting for verification.

until the results are in

Specifically refers to awaiting definitive outcomes or data.

pending further investigation

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of an inquiry.

FAQs

What does "until we find out" mean?

The phrase "until we find out" means waiting for information or a discovery to be made before taking further action or making a decision.

What's a more formal way to say "until we find out"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "until we determine" or "until we ascertain", depending on the specific context.

Can I use "until we find out" in academic writing?

While "until we find out" is grammatically correct, it may be too informal for certain academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "until we know" and "until we find out"?

While similar, "until we know" implies a state of current ignorance, whereas "until we find out" suggests an active process of seeking information to resolve that ignorance.