Meaning trap
figure out
understand after thinking
To find the answer to something by thinking about it carefully.
phrasal verbB1common
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
understand after thinking
To find the answer to something by thinking about it carefully.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- It took me a while to figure out how to use the new coffee machine.daily life
- In my last job, I often had to figure out solutions to unexpected problems, which really improved my problem-solving skills.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: figure out + noun / figure out + wh-clause
WrongI can't figure out it.
RightI can't figure it out.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'figure it out'.
Patternfigure out + noun / figure out + wh-clause
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Figure out' is the everyday verb for working something out; 'comprehended the mechanism' is bookish.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
figure out + problemhow it workswhat to dothe answerwhy
Don't confuse it
Similar to 'work out,' but 'figure out' is more common in American English.