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Meaning trap

turn out

prove to be

to happen in a particular way, or to have a particular result, especially one that is unexpected.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

prove to be

to happen in a particular way, or to have a particular result, especially one that is unexpected.

turn out (attend an event)

Another meaning of 'turn out' is 'attend an event'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • The weather turned out to be better than we expected.daily life
  • At first, I thought the exam would be very difficult, but it turned out to be quite easy.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: turn out (to be) + adjective/noun/clause

WrongThe film turned out boring.

RightThe film turned out to be boring. / The film turned out boring (informal).

Most naturally 'turn out TO BE + adjective', or 'turn out + that-clause'.

Patternturn out (to be) + adjective/noun/clause

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff It transpired that the rumour was unfounded.

Natural It turned out the rumour wasn't true.

'Turn out' is the everyday way to report how something proved to be; 'it transpired that' is literary/formal.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • turn out + result
    to be finewellthat...differently

Don't confuse it

'Turn out' is about the result; 'find out' is about learning something.

Try it in Daily Speak →