Understanding 'Find Out' vs 'Figure Out': Essential Phrasal Verbs for English Learners

Are you confused about when to use "find out" and when to use "figure out" in English? You're not alone! These common phrasal verbs can be tricky for non-native speakers because they seem similar but have important differences in usage. This guide will help you master these expressions and use them confidently in your everyday English conversations.

What is "Find Out"?

"Find out" means to discover information or learn facts that were previously unknown to you. It typically involves obtaining information from external sources.

Key Characteristics of "Find Out":

Involves discovering information that already exists
Often requires asking someone, checking resources, or investigating
Focuses on the result (the information gained) rather than the process
Usually relates to concrete facts or details

Common Situations Where We Use "Find Out":

Learning new information from others
Discovering facts through research
Uncovering secrets or hidden information
Learning the results of something

Example Sentences with "Find Out":

"I found out that the museum closes at 5 PM on Saturdays." (learned a fact)
"How did you find out about the surprise party?" (discovered a secret)
"She found out her test results yesterday." (learned the outcome)
"Can you find out which train we need to take?" (request to discover information)
"The detectives found out who committed the crime." (uncovered facts through investigation)

What is "Figure Out"?

"Figure out" means to solve a problem or understand something complicated through mental effort and analysis. It emphasizes the thinking process required to reach understanding.

Key Characteristics of "Figure Out":

Involves solving problems or puzzles
Requires mental effort and analysis
Focuses on the process of understanding
Often relates to complex situations or unclear concepts

Common Situations Where We Use "Figure Out":

Solving problems or puzzles
Understanding complex systems or mechanisms
Determining reasons for behaviors or situations
Making sense of confusing information

Example Sentences with "Figure Out":

"I can't figure out how to use this new smartphone." (understand a mechanism)
"She quickly figured out that he was lying." (understood through analysis)
"Let me try to figure out what went wrong with the recipe." (solve a problem)
"Have you figured out how to get to the conference center?" (solved a logistical problem)
"Scientists are still trying to figure out why some people develop certain diseases." (understand complex phenomena)

The Key Differences Between "Find Out" and "Figure Out"

1. Process vs. Discovery

Find out: Emphasizes discovering existing information
Figure out: Emphasizes the thinking process to understand something

2. External vs. Internal

Find out: Often involves external sources of information
Figure out: Usually relies on internal cognitive processes

3. Type of Information

Find out: Typically relates to facts, details, or news
Figure out: Usually relates to understanding systems, reasons, or solutions

Practical Examples: Choosing the Right Phrasal Verb

Correct Usage of "Find Out":

✓ "I need to find out what time the movie starts."
This involves discovering a specific fact (the movie time).

✓ "She found out that she got the job when they called her yesterday."
This involves learning news or information from an external source.

✓ "How did you find out about their engagement?"
This involves discovering news that already existed.

Correct Usage of "Figure Out":

✓ "I'm trying to figure out how this machine works."
This involves understanding a complex system through analysis.

✓ "He couldn't figure out why his computer kept crashing."
This involves solving a problem through thinking and analysis.

✓ "She finally figured out the answer to the math problem."
This involves solving a puzzle through mental effort.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

✗ "I need to figure out what time the shop closes." (Incorrect)
✓ "I need to find out what time the shop closes." (Correct)
This involves discovering a simple fact, not solving a problem.

✗ "I found out how to solve the equation." (Incorrect)
✓ "I figured out how to solve the equation." (Correct)
This involves understanding through analysis, not just discovering information.

Correct Usage of "Find Out" vs. "Figure Out" for English Learners

Both "find out" and "figure out" are used to talk about discovering something, but they are used in different contexts and convey slightly different meanings. Understanding when to use each phrase is important for clear and accurate communication in English. Here’s a deeper look:

Correct Usage of "Find Out"

"Find out" is used when you discover or learn something, often as a result of external sources, information, or events. It usually refers to acquiring a fact or piece of information you did not know before. This could involve asking someone, reading something, or being informed about something.

Discovering a specific fact or detail
- Example: "I need to find out what time the movie starts."
- Explanation: You're looking for a simple fact—specifically, the time of the movie.
Learning something from an external source
- Example: "She found out that she got the job when they called her yesterday."
- Explanation: Here, the information comes from an external source (the phone call), and it’s news that you didn’t know before.
Uncovering news that already exists
- Example: "How did you find out about their engagement?"
- Explanation: This refers to learning about something that has already happened or been known by others.

Key Point: "Find out" is typically used for discovering information, often from external sources like people, events, or research.

Correct Usage of "Figure Out"

"Figure out" is used when you are trying to understand or solve something through thinking, reasoning, or analysis. It often involves figuring out how something works, why something happens, or finding a solution to a problem.

Understanding or analyzing something complex
- Example: "I'm trying to figure out how this machine works."
- Explanation: You're thinking critically to understand how the machine operates, which involves problem-solving and analysis.
Solving a problem through reasoning
- Example: "He couldn't figure out why his computer kept crashing."
- Explanation: Here, the person is trying to understand the cause of the problem, which requires analyzing and thinking through different possibilities.
Solving a puzzle or challenge
- Example: "She finally figured out the answer to the math problem."
- Explanation: This involves figuring out a solution to something that requires intellectual effort, like a puzzle or challenge.

Key Point: "Figure out" is typically used when you solve a problem, understand a concept, or figure out the reason behind something.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to mix up "find out" and "figure out" because both involve discovering something. Here are some common mistakes and tips to help you choose the right phrase:

Incorrect: "I need to figure out what time the shop closes."
- Correct: "I need to find out what time the shop closes."
- Explanation: In this case, you're simply discovering a fact (the shop's closing time), not analyzing or solving something. Therefore, "find out" is the right choice.
Incorrect: "I found out how to solve the equation."
- Correct: "I figured out how to solve the equation."
- Explanation: Solving an equation involves analysis and thinking, so "figure out" is the correct choice here, as it involves understanding or working through a process.
Incorrect: "I need to find out how this math formula works."
- Correct: "I need to figure out how this math formula works."
- Explanation: Understanding how a formula works requires thinking and analysis, so "figure out" is the right phrase to use.
Incorrect: "He figured out that she was lying."
- Correct: "He found out that she was lying."
- Explanation: "Finding out" is used when you learn information, especially when it's something you didn’t know before (like discovering a lie). "Figure out" is not appropriate in this context.
Incorrect: "They found out how to fix the problem."
- Correct: "They figured out how to fix the problem."
- Explanation: Fixing a problem requires thinking and understanding the cause, so "figure out" is the better choice here.

Summary: When to Use Each Phrase

"Find out" is used when you discover or learn information, especially when it comes from an external source. Think of it as gathering information or being informed.
"Figure out" is used when you need to understand, analyze, or solve something. It implies mental effort or reasoning, often involving a process of problem-solving.

By paying attention to these distinctions, you’ll be able to choose the right phrase in different situations, making your English sound more natural and precise!

Practice Exercises for English Learners

Try to fill in the blanks with either "find out" or "figure out":

I need to ________ why my phone battery drains so quickly.
Can you ________ what time the bank opens tomorrow?
The police are trying to ________ who stole the painting.
It took me hours to ________ how to assemble this furniture.
How did you ________ about the secret meeting?

(Answers: 1. figure out, 2. find out, 3. find out, 4. figure out, 5. find out)

Conclusion

Getting the hang of when to use "find out" vs. "figure out" will make your English sound way more natural. Just remember: "find out" is all about discovering facts or info, while "figure out" is about understanding something by thinking it through or solving a problem.

As you keep practicing these phrasal verbs in everyday conversations, you'll get more comfortable with them and start using them like a pro!

Got any other phrasal verbs that confuse you? Drop them in the comments, and we might dive into them in a future post!

Understanding 'Find Out' vs 'Figure Out'; Key Difference for Clearer Communication