FIND OUT / FIGURE OUT

Phrasal Verbs: Find out / Figure out

Both of these phrases have very similar meanings, but there are some implications that can be important.

1. Find out

Meaning
  • To "find" something means to locate it by searching. "To find out" implies that the answer exists elsewhere, and through research or investigation, you will get that existing answer.

2. Figure out

Meaning
  • To "figure" something means to apply logic and reason. "To figure out" implies that you will determine the answer yourself without outside help, often through trial and error.


Example Dialogue



A: “Did you ever figure out why your website wasn’t working?”

B: “Yeah, I found out that the server was undergoing some maintenance. It’s back online now!”


Take note:

  • Figure out = Find the answer to a problem
  • Find out = Discover some information

Example Sentences

  • "I'll talk to her and find out what's going on."
  • "Try to find out what happened."
  • "You'll find out soon enough."
  • "We may never find out the truth about what happened."
  • "Her parents found out that she had a boyfriend."
  • "I don’t want anyone else to find out about this."


  • "It doesn’t matter how long it takes. I am going to figure out this math problem."
  • "He was able to figure out who the killer was pretty quickly. That is why I like that show. "
  • "Were you able to figure out the new IT system at work?"
  • "She is a difficult person to figure out. Sometimes she is so rude to me."
  • "She's smart enough to figure out what to do."
  • "She's started having symptoms that the doctors can't figure out what's wrong."


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