B1 Prepositions 10 min read Easy

Find Out: Discovering Information (Phrasal Verb)

Become an info-gathering pro: find out helps you uncover any fact you need!
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'find out' when you discover new information or facts that you didn't know before.

  • Use it for facts, not physical objects. Example: 'I found out the truth.'
  • It is often followed by 'about' or a 'wh-' word. Example: 'Find out why.'
  • The past tense is 'found out'. Example: 'She found out yesterday.'
🧠 + 🔍 = Find Out

Overview

Use "find out" when you learn something new. You get facts.

You did not know. Now you know. This is very useful.

How This Grammar Works

Use "find out" to get new news or answers.
1. "Find out" + a thing
You learn one specific piece of news.
  • You need to find out her new email address. (The specific information is her new email address.)
  • I will find out the meeting time and let you know.
  • They finally found out the truth about the scandal.
2. "Find out about" + a topic
Use this for a person or a big topic.
  • She wants to find out about the new software update. (The focus is on the general details surrounding the update.)
  • We need to find out about their company culture before the interview.
  • Have you found out about the changes to the project timeline?
3. "Find out if" for yes or no
Use this to check if a thing is true.
  • Can you find out if he is available for a call this afternoon? (Determining a yes/no condition.)
  • Please find out whether the train has been delayed.
  • Management needs to find out whether the new policy is effective or not. (Whether naturally accommodates the or not alternative.)
4. "Find out" + who, what, where, when, or why
This gets a specific answer. Put the person before the action.
  • I need to find out where the nearest post office is. (Original direct question: Where is the nearest post office?)
  • The team is trying to find out why the server crashed.
  • Let's find out how we can improve our customer service.
Separability of find out
Keep "find" and "out" together. Do not separate them.
  • With short pronoun objects (e.g., it, them): While I'll find it out is technically possible and occasionally heard, it is far more common and natural to use I'll find out about it or to rephrase. The general principle for separable phrasal verbs is that short pronouns typically go between the verb and particle; find out is a notable exception where this often sounds awkward.
  • Less natural: That's important. You should find it out.
  • More natural: That's important. You should find out about it.
  • With noun phrase objects: The noun phrase almost invariably follows find out. Placing it between find and out sounds archaic or highly emphatic, and should be avoided by learners.
  • Standard: We need to find out the exact figures.
  • Avoid: We need to find the exact figures out.
Key Takeaway: For B1 learners, the safest and most idiomatic approach is to treat find out as inseparable, always keeping find and out together, regardless of the object type.

Formation Pattern

1
Only change "find" for time. "Out" stays the same.
2
Use "find" for now. Use "found" for the past.
3
Here are examples of "find out" in different times.
4
| Time | How to say it | Example |
5
| :------------------- | :----------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------- |
6
| Every day | find out / finds out | I find out news on my phone. |
7
| | | She always finds out the best deals online. |
8
| Past Simple | found out | We found out the news yesterday afternoon. |
9
| Present Perfect | have/has found out | They have found out a lot since starting the research. |
10
| Past Perfect | had found out | He had found out the answer before I asked him. |
11
| Future Simple | will find out | You will find out the results of the exam next week. |
12
| Right now | am/is/are finding out | I am finding out the trip details. |
13
| In the past | was/were finding out | She was finding out about the job. |
14
| With "to" | to find out | I want to find out the flight time. |
15
It always means you get new facts. It is easy.

When To Use It

Use it with friends or at work to get news.
  • General Inquiry and Information Gathering: When you need to get specific facts or broad details about something.
  • Before booking, I should find out the exact cost of the tickets.
  • The customer service agent helped me find out my account balance.
  • Uncovering Causes or Solutions (Informal Problem-Solving): In situations where you are trying to diagnose an issue or understand the reason behind an event, especially in a less formal setting.
  • We need to find out why the internet connection keeps dropping.
  • Can you find out how to fix this error in the spreadsheet?
  • Discovering Secrets or Truths: When revealing confidential, hidden, or previously unknown information.
  • His colleagues eventually found out his plan to leave the company.
  • The journalist worked hard to find out the truth behind the government's statement.
  • Clarification and Verification: When seeking to confirm information or check its accuracy.
  • I'll find out if the restaurant is open on Sunday.
  • Could you find out whether the delivery has been dispatched yet?
  • Gaining Knowledge (Specific Facts): When acquiring particular pieces of knowledge about a subject, distinct from systematic learning of a skill or entire discipline.
  • I want to find out more about renewable energy technologies.
  • She's reading a book to find out interesting facts about space.
  • Social and Personal Situations: It is perfectly natural in casual conversations for planning, gossip, or general curiosity.
  • Did you find out what happened at the party last night?
  • I need to find out when Sarah's birthday is so I can send her a card.
You look for the answer. Then you get the facts.

When Not To Use It

Sometimes you need a different word. Do not use it always.
  • Formal Investigation or Research: For official, systematic, or scientific inquiries, more formal verbs are preferred.
  • Instead of: The police are finding out the crime.
  • Use: The police are investigating the crime. or The police will determine the cause.
  • Instead of: Scientists are finding out a cure for the disease.
  • Use: Scientists are researching a cure for the disease.
  • Learning a Skill or Entire Subject: Find out refers to acquiring specific information, not the ongoing process of gaining proficiency or comprehensive knowledge in a field.
  • Instead of: I'm finding out to play the guitar.
  • Use: I'm learning to play the guitar.
  • Instead of: She's finding out about advanced physics. (Unless it's a specific fact)
  • Use: She's studying advanced physics.
  • Physical Discovery or Location: If you are physically locating an object, the verb find without out is the correct choice.
  • Instead of: I found out my keys under the table.
  • Use: I found my keys under the table. (Find out is exclusively for abstract information.)
  • Original Invention or Revelation: When something truly novel or previously unknown to humanity is brought to light, discover or invent are stronger and more accurate.
  • Instead of: Columbus found out America.
  • Use: Columbus discovered America.
  • Instead of: She found out a new algorithm.
  • Use: She invented a new algorithm.
  • Highly Formal or Academic Writing: In very formal academic papers, legal documents, or highly technical reports, consider synonyms like ascertain, determine, uncover, or verify for a more precise and elevated tone.
  • Instead of: The report aims to find out the discrepancies.
  • Use: The report aims to ascertain the discrepancies.
Choosing good words helps people understand you better.

Common Mistakes

Many people make mistakes with 'find out'. Learn how to use it.
1. Confusing find out with figure out
This is a big mistake. These words have two different meanings.
  • Find out: To obtain information that already exists, often through inquiry or observation. It's about acquiring a fact.
  • I need to find out what time the train leaves. (I will check the schedule or ask someone.)
  • Figure out: To understand or solve a problem through thinking, analysis, or deduction. It's about processing information to reach a solution or comprehension.
  • I can't figure out how this new software works. (I need to use my brain to understand its operation.)
Wrong: I figured out the date. Only use this for hard problems.
Right: I found out the concert date on the website.
2. Omitting the particle out
Use 'find' for objects. Use 'find out' for new facts.
Wrong: I found about the meeting. This sounds like seeing a thing.
Right: I found out about the meeting. This means learning news.
3. Incorrect Separability
As discussed in

Conjugating 'Find Out'

Tense Subject Form Example
Present Simple
I/You/We/They
find out
I find out the news every morning.
Present Simple
He/She/It
finds out
She finds out the truth eventually.
Past Simple
All subjects
found out
We found out about the meeting late.
Present Continuous
I
am finding out
I am finding out more every day.
Present Perfect
He/She/It
has found out
He has found out about the surprise.
Future (Will)
All subjects
will find out
They will find out tomorrow.
Gerund
N/A
finding out
Finding out the truth was a relief.
Infinitive
N/A
to find out
I want to find out the price.

Meanings

To gain knowledge of something or to discover a fact or piece of information.

1

General Discovery

To learn something new through study, observation, or inquiry.

“We may never find out the real reason for his resignation.”

“Can you find out when the next bus leaves?”

2

Uncovering Secrets

To discover that someone has done something wrong or is hiding something.

“He was cheating on the test, but the teacher found him out.”

“If you keep lying, someone will eventually find you out.”

3

Investigation

To make an effort to discover specific details about a situation.

“The police are trying to find out how the fire started.”

“I'll call the hotel to find out about their cancellation policy.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Find Out: Discovering Information (Phrasal Verb)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + find out + information
I found out the answer.
Negative
Subject + do not + find out
I didn't find out the secret.
Question
Do/Did + Subject + find out?
Did you find out the time?
With 'About'
find out + about + topic
Tell me what you found out about him.
With 'That'
find out + that + clause
I found out that she is married.
With 'Wh-'
find out + who/where/why/how
Find out how much it costs.
Separable (Rare)
find + person + out
The police finally found him out.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
We must ascertain the cause of the error.

We must ascertain the cause of the error. (Workplace)

Neutral
We need to find out why the error happened.

We need to find out why the error happened. (Workplace)

Informal
Let's see what's up with this error.

Let's see what's up with this error. (Workplace)

Slang
Let's suss out why it's broken.

Let's suss out why it's broken. (Workplace)

Find vs. Find Out

Discovery

Find (Physical)

  • Keys I found my keys.
  • Wallet She found her wallet.
  • Dog We found the lost dog.

Find Out (Information)

  • Truth I found out the truth.
  • Time Find out the time.
  • Reason We found out the reason.

Synonym Nuances

Find Out
Everyday facts I found out the price.
Discover
New things/Science They discovered a new planet.
Learn
Skills/Study I am learning English.

Which one to use?

1

Is it a physical object?

YES
Use 'Find'
NO
Is it information?
2

Is it information?

YES
Use 'Find Out'
NO
Check other verbs.

Common 'Wh-' Combinations

📍

People/Places

  • • Find out who
  • • Find out where
❓

Reasons/Methods

  • • Find out why
  • • Find out how
⏰

Time/Quantity

  • • Find out when
  • • Find out how much
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Examples by Level

1

I want to find out the name.

2

Did you find out the time?

3

He found out the truth.

4

We will find out soon.

1

Can you find out where the station is?

2

I need to find out about the party.

3

She didn't find out until yesterday.

4

They found out that the shop was closed.

1

I'll call the office to find out why the payment is late.

2

We need to find out whether the flight is delayed.

3

It's important to find out about the local customs before you travel.

4

How did you find out about our company?

1

The investigation was launched to find out the extent of the damage.

2

He was terrified that his colleagues would find him out.

3

Scientists are working to find out how the virus spreads.

4

Once the truth was found out, the scandal broke.

1

It took several weeks for the auditors to find out exactly where the money had gone.

2

The protagonist eventually finds out that his father is still alive.

3

We must find out what prompted such a drastic change in policy.

4

I was surprised to find out that she had been living a double life.

1

The sheer complexity of the case made it nearly impossible to find out the culprit's motives.

2

In the end, his hubris was his undoing, and he was found out by those he trusted most.

3

The study seeks to find out the correlation between socio-economic status and linguistic development.

4

One might find out, upon closer inspection, that the two theories are not so different.

Easily Confused

Find Out: Discovering Information (Phrasal Verb) vs Find vs. Find Out

Learners use 'find' for information or 'find out' for objects.

Find Out: Discovering Information (Phrasal Verb) vs Figure Out vs. Find Out

Both involve getting information, but the method is different.

Find Out: Discovering Information (Phrasal Verb) vs Learn vs. Find Out

Both involve new knowledge.

Common Mistakes

✗

I find the time.

✓

I find out the time.

You need 'out' for information.
✗

I found out my keys.

✓

I found my keys.

Don't use 'out' for physical objects.
✗

He find out.

✓

He finds out.

Third person 's' is still required.
✗

I find out it.

✓

I found it out.

Usually we say 'I found out' or 'I found out about it'.
✗

I found out where is the bus.

✓

I found out where the bus is.

Use statement word order in indirect questions.
✗

Did you found out?

✓

Did you find out?

Use the base form after 'did'.
✗

I want to find out about who won.

✓

I want to find out who won.

Don't use 'about' before a 'wh-' clause.
✗

I found out the information out.

✓

I found out the information.

'Find out' is usually inseparable for information.
✗

I learned that the price was $10.

✓

I found out that the price was $10.

'Learn' is okay, but 'find out' is more natural for a single fact.
✗

I found out him.

✓

I found him out.

When catching someone in a lie, the pronoun goes in the middle.
✗

The truth was found.

✓

The truth was found out.

In the passive voice, 'out' is still necessary for information.
✗

I found out the solution to the math problem.

✓

I figured out the solution.

Use 'figure out' for things requiring mental effort/calculation.

Sentence Patterns

I need to find out ___.

How did you find out about ___?

It was surprising to find out that ___.

We are trying to find out whether ___.

Real World Usage

Texting a friend constant

Find out what time we're meeting!

Job Interview common

I'd like to find out more about the team structure.

Travel/Tourism very common

Can you find out if breakfast is included?

Police/Legal occasional

We need to find out his whereabouts.

Academic Research common

The experiment was designed to find out the reaction time.

Customer Service very common

I'll find out why your order hasn't arrived yet.

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💡

The 'Out' Rule

If you are talking about a fact, a reason, or a secret, you almost always need the word 'out'.
⚠️

Don't use for people

Saying 'I found out him' is rare and usually means you caught him lying. To say you met someone, use 'met' or 'found' (if they were lost).
🎯

Wh- Words

Pair 'find out' with 'who, what, where, when, why, how' for 90% of your daily needs.
💬

Politeness

In formal situations, 'I would like to find out' is more polite than 'Tell me'.

Smart Tips

Check if you are talking about a fact. If so, add 'out'. It sounds much more natural to native speakers.

I found the movie starts at 8. → I found out the movie starts at 8.

You are 'finding out' information, not just 'finding' it. Use this to practice the distinction.

I'm finding the price on Google. → I'm finding out the price on Google.

Be careful! 'Find out him' is wrong. 'Find him out' means you caught him lying.

I need to find out the new teacher. → I need to find out about the new teacher.

Use 'find out whether' instead of 'find out if'.

Find out if they are coming. → Find out whether they are coming.

Pronunciation

/faɪn.daʊt/

Linking

The 'd' in 'find' often links to the 'o' in 'out', sounding like 'fin-dout'.

find OUT

Stress

In phrasal verbs, the particle (out) often receives more stress than the verb.

Rising on 'out'

Did you find OUT? ↗

Asking a question with curiosity.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

To 'Find Out' is to bring information 'Out' into the light of your mind.

Visual Association

Imagine a magnifying glass hovering over a lightbulb. The magnifying glass is 'finding' and the lightbulb turning on is the 'out' (the information becoming clear).

Rhyme

If it's a fact you doubt, you need to find it out!

Story

A detective was looking for a lost diamond. He 'found' the diamond under the rug. Then, he had to 'find out' who put it there by asking questions.

Word Web

DiscoverLearnUncoverRevealDetectAscertainFound out

Challenge

Go to a news website and find out three things that happened in a different country today. Write them down using 'I found out that...'

Cultural Notes

The term 'suss out' is a common informal alternative to 'find out' in the UK.

Americans often use 'check out' or 'figure out' in contexts where 'find out' might also work, especially regarding logistics.

Privacy is valued; 'finding out' about someone's personal life without permission can be seen as 'prying'.

From Old English 'findan' (to come upon) and the adverb 'out' (expressing discovery/exposure).

Conversation Starters

“

How did you find out about your favorite hobby?

“

What is something interesting you found out recently?

“

If you could find out any secret in the world, what would it be?

“

How do you usually find out the news?

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you found out a secret. How did you feel?
Describe the process of finding out information for a school or work project.
What are the best ways to find out if a news story is true or fake?

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choose the correct verb for the sentence. Multiple Choice

I need to ___ what time the train leaves.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: find out
We use 'find out' for information like train times.
Fill in the missing word.

She ___ out that her sister was pregnant yesterday.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: found
The sentence is in the past tense ('yesterday').
Correct the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

I found out my lost wallet in the park.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I found my lost wallet
Use 'find' (not 'find out') for physical objects like a wallet.
Rewrite the sentence using 'find out'. Sentence Transformation

I discovered that the shop was closed.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I found out that the shop was closed.
'Find out' is a more common, neutral synonym for 'discover'.
Match the beginning of the sentence to the end. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-why he left, 2-keys, 3-the history
'Find out' + wh-clause, 'Find' + object, 'Find out about' + topic.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

The detective is trying to...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: find out the truth.
'Find out' is usually inseparable when followed by a noun phrase.
Complete the question.

How did you find out ___ the accident?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: about
Use 'about' to refer to a general event or topic.
Choose the best response. Multiple Choice

Did you find out if she's coming?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yes, I found out.
The short answer uses the past tense 'found out'.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Choose the correct verb for the sentence. Multiple Choice

I need to ___ what time the train leaves.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: find out
We use 'find out' for information like train times.
Fill in the missing word.

She ___ out that her sister was pregnant yesterday.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: found
The sentence is in the past tense ('yesterday').
Correct the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

I found out my lost wallet in the park.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I found my lost wallet
Use 'find' (not 'find out') for physical objects like a wallet.
Rewrite the sentence using 'find out'. Sentence Transformation

I discovered that the shop was closed.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I found out that the shop was closed.
'Find out' is a more common, neutral synonym for 'discover'.
Match the beginning of the sentence to the end. Match Pairs

1. Find out... / 2. Find your... / 3. Find out about...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-why he left, 2-keys, 3-the history
'Find out' + wh-clause, 'Find' + object, 'Find out about' + topic.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

The detective is trying to...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: find out the truth.
'Find out' is usually inseparable when followed by a noun phrase.
Complete the question.

How did you find out ___ the accident?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: about
Use 'about' to refer to a general event or topic.
Choose the best response. Multiple Choice

Did you find out if she's coming?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yes, I found out.
The short answer uses the past tense 'found out'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb. Fill in the Blank

We need to _____ who ate the last slice of pizza.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: find out
Correct the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Can you find if the store is open?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Can you find out if the store is open?
Select the sentence that uses 'find out' appropriately. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He found out the secret by accident.
Translate the sentence into English. Translation

Translate into English: 'Ella quiere averiguar sobre el nuevo profesor.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["She wants to find out about the new professor.","She wants to find out about the new teacher."]
Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We need to find out the truth.
Match the sentence beginnings with the correct endings using 'find out'. Match Pairs

Match the beginnings with the correct endings:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

He tried to _____ why his flight was delayed.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: find out
Identify and correct the incorrect use of 'find out'. Error Correction

I found out how to fix the broken chair.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I figured out how to fix the broken chair.
Translate into English, using 'find out'. Translation

Translate into English: 'Ella va a enterarse de los resultados de su examen.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["She is going to find out her exam results.","She is going to find out about her exam results."]
Which of these expresses the idea of discovering information? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The detective found out the suspect's alibi.
Unscramble the words to form a coherent question. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: When will we find out the report?

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

No, we usually say `find out about it` or `find it out` (though the latter is rare). Usually, we just say `find out` followed by a clause: `I found out that it was true.`

It is neutral. You can use it in conversation and in most business writing. For very formal academic papers, you might use `discover` or `ascertain`.

Use `find out` for information you get from someone else or a source. Use `figure out` for information you get by thinking or doing math.

Usually no. You say `find out the truth`, not `find the truth out`. However, if you mean 'catch someone in a lie', it is separable: `I found him out.`

Only if you mean discovering their secrets. If you are looking for a lost person, just use `find`.

No, it can be used alone. Example: `I don't know yet, but I'll find out.`

Use `about` for a general topic (`find out about the war`) and `that` for a specific fact (`find out that the war ended`).

Yes, but it's less common. `I am finding out new things every day` is correct.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Enterarse / Averiguar

Spanish doesn't use a 'verb + preposition' structure like English.

French low

Apprendre / Découvrir

The same French word can mean 'to learn' and 'to find out'.

German high

Herausfinden

The structure is almost identical to English.

Japanese low

知る (Shiru) / 分かる (Wakaru)

Japanese relies on verb aspect rather than prepositions.

Chinese moderate

发现 (Fāxiàn) / 查出 (Cháchū)

Chinese doesn't distinguish as strictly between physical finding and informational finding.

Arabic low

اكتشف (Yaktashif)

Arabic uses a single root-based verb.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
How to Use 'Set up' (Phrasal Verb)

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