Out

'Out' is mainly considered to be a preposition but it can also function as an adverb, verb, and noun. In this lesson, we will learn more.

How to Use ''Out'' in the English Grammar?

'Out' is mostly regarded as a preposition in English, but it has more functions that we are covering in this lesson.

Functions of 'Out'

1. 'Out' as an Adverb

Use

'Out' as an adverb is used in many contexts. It modifies the verb and adds an extra meaning to the sentence.

'Out' as an adverb is used to indicate 'moving in a direction away from the inside or center of something.'

She went out to the garden.

He pulled out the fork.

Get out.

'Out' as an adverb is used to express 'outside; not in a building.'

It's cold out.

outside

He took the dog out for walking.

'Out' as an adverb is used to indicate absent for a short time from your work your or your home.

I was out but the office was open.

I called you but you were out.

not at home

'Out' as an adverb indicates a time when a person goes away from home to have a leisure time.

Can I ask her out?

I wanna eat out tonight.

'Out' as an adverb can be used in informal contexts to express not possible or not allowed.

Smoking is out in my family.

This idea is out for me.

'Out' as an adverb is used in sports contexts to infer to a player who got eliminated and can no longer play.

He was out after ten minutes.

If you have no cards, then you are out.

‌'Out' is used to show that something/somebody is removed from a place, job, etc.

The detergent is good for getting stains out.

We want this government out.

Their food ran out.

'Out' as an adverb is used to indicate 'clearly and loudly so that people can hear.'

Speak out so that everybody can hear.

The baby is crying out.

'Out' is used when a book, magazine, recording is available to everyone; known to everyone.

When his album is out, I'll buy it.

When does her new book come out?

'Out' as an adverb is used to indicate that something is in or into the control or possession of another person.

I checked at the library and that book is out.

Please don't let my secret out.

'Out' is an adverb and indicatea something can be seen such as a flower, the sun, the clouds, etc.

In the spring, flowers are out.

The sun is out now.

'Out' also indicates that someone is not correct or exact.

I was out in my calculations.

Your guess was out.

'Out' is used to indicate that something is not in the usual or proper place.

You left out the dot here.

You miss it out.

'Out' is used to indicate the position of someone who is not involved or participating in something.

Count me out.

_ Do you want to gos shopping? _ No, I am out.

'Out' is ued to show that something is no longer operating, burning, etc.

The fire had burnt itself out.

The fire is out.

The wind blew the candle out.

Position in a Sentence

'Out' as an adverb is used to modify the verb and describe it. It usually stands after the verb, for example:

The fire is out.

'Out' descibes the verb.

Count me out.

2. 'Out' as a Preposition

Use

'Out' as the preposition of movement and directions is used before nouns to describe two situations:

'Out' is used with the verb 'look' to indicate that a person or animal is looking at something that is outside of a building, room, etc.

I'm looking out the window.

The cat is standing in front of the door and looks out the door.

'Out' is used with action verbs to indicate that a person or animal is moving from the inside of a building, room, etc., to the outside.

He walked out the window.

He ran out the door.

Position in a Sentence

'Out' as a preposition stands before a noun or a noun phrase. Take a look:

He walked out the window.

I'm looking out the window.

3. 'Out' as a Verb

Use

'Out' as the verb can be transitive or intransitive whether it takes an object or not. 'Out' as the transitive verb means 'to tell people that (someone) is a homosexual' or 'to dismiss someone from a group.'

He was a gay actor who was outed in a magazine.

The fact that he was homosexual was declared in the magazine.

He is threatening to out other players.

dismiss

'Out' as an intransitive verb can be used to indicate something becomes publicly known.

The truth will out.

The fraud will out.

Position in a Sentence

'Out' as the verb is placed after the subject in a sentence and if it is transitive, it takes an object. But, if it is intransitive, no object is needed.

The truth will out.

intransitive

He is threatening to out other players.

transitive

4. 'Out' as a Noun

Use

'Out' as a countable noun is used to express 'an excuse' or 'the act of putting a player out in the baseball.' Take a look:

an excuse, a way of escaping from a problem or dilemma

He was desperately looking for an out.

Her mother's illness seemed an out for him.

the act of causing a player to be out in the baseball

The play resulted in an out.

Position in a Sentence

'Out' is a countable noun that takes articles or determiners. Look:

The play resulted in an out.

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