we found out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we found out" is a correct and valid sentence fragment in written English.
You can use it to introduce new information that you and others have discovered. For example, "We found out that the team was going to be late for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Well, we found out".

The New York Times - Arts

That's how we found out".

The New Yorker

We found out!" said Soloway.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We found out later they're precious".

The New York Times

"And that's how we found out about it".

The New York Times

Through Ray we found out how much Shoshanna has changed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We found out on the road north out of town.

The New Yorker

That was how we found out who Mr. Interlocutor was.

The New Yorker

When we found out, everybody's like, "Oh, that's too weird.

The New York Times

After the fight we found out about the judges.

The Guardian - Sport

Have we found out what? Gruesome twosome – Becky and Donaldson!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis on the method of discovery, consider using similar phrases like "we discovered through" or "we learned by".

Common error

Ensure the tense of the verb following "we found out" aligns with the timeline of the discovery. For example, "We found out he had already left" (past perfect) versus "We found out he is leaving tomorrow" (present continuous).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we found out" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce new information that has been discovered or learned. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. Examples from Ludwig show it commonly precedes a clause explaining the discovery.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we found out" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce newly discovered information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the phrase appears across diverse sources, especially in news and media. While neutrally registered, it serves the explicit purpose of informing an audience about something previously unknown. Alternatives such as "we discovered" or "we learned" can add nuance, but "we found out" is commonly understood and appropriate in many contexts. Remember to use the correct verb tense to align to the timeline of the finding, and avoid overusing the phrase by alternating with synonyms. This guide offers the most comprehensive insight into this useful phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we discovered

This alternative emphasizes the act of uncovering something previously unknown.

we learned

This alternative focuses on the acquisition of knowledge.

it turned out that we

This option introduces an element of unexpectedness or surprise to the discovery.

we realized

This alternative highlights the process of understanding or becoming aware of something.

we came to know

This conveys the gradual process of gaining information.

we ascertained

This suggests a more formal or investigative process of finding out.

we determined

This alternative implies a more deliberate or conclusive finding.

we uncovered

This suggests an investigative process of finding out.

we unearthed

This implies a finding after a detailed investigation.

we gathered

This indicates that information was collected from different places.

FAQs

What does "we found out" mean?

"We found out" means that a group of people, referred to as "we", have learned or discovered something, often after some investigation or lapse of time.

How can I use "we found out" in a sentence?

You can use "we found out" to introduce a piece of information that you and others have learned, such as "We found out that the meeting was postponed."

What can I say instead of "we found out"?

You can use alternatives such as "we discovered", "we learned", or "we realized" depending on the context.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "we found out"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "we found out", especially when emphasizing the moment of discovery or revelation.