figure out
understand something after thinking about it
What does "figure sth out" mean?
Examples
- We need to figure out a way to cut costs before the end of the quarter.
- She couldn't figure him out — he always said one thing and did another.
- I'm still trying to figure out what went wrong with the experiment.
How to use it
Very commonly used with wh-words (what, why, how, where, when, who) to describe understanding or solving something complex.
I spent an hour trying to figure out why the app kept crashing.
Use this when the object is a specific thing to be understood or solved, such as a problem, plan, or answer.
We need to figure out a plan before the meeting tomorrow.
When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'figure' and 'out' — it cannot come after 'out'.
The instructions looked confusing at first, but I figured them out eventually.
Very commonly paired with negative modals to express difficulty or confusion after trying to understand something.
She couldn't figure out what the interviewer meant by that question.
The passive form is possible when focusing on the result rather than who did the thinking, usually with a specific noun object.
The cause of the error was finally figured out after several tests.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
When the object is a pronoun like 'it', 'them', or 'her', it must go between 'figure' and 'out'. Placing it after 'out' is ungrammatical in English.
When the object is a wh-clause (e.g. 'what happened', 'how to do it'), it must always follow 'out'. You cannot split the phrasal verb with a clause.
'Find out' means to discover information, often from an external source like a person, website, or document. 'Figure out' means to reach an understanding through your own reasoning. If you are thinking through a problem yourself, use 'figure out', not 'find out'.
Usage
Neutral and extremely common in both spoken and written English, especially in American English. It often pairs with 'can't' or 'trying to' and is frequently followed by wh-clauses: 'I can't figure out why it crashed.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'figure out' in formal writing or professional emails?
'Figure out' is neutral enough to work in most professional situations, including emails and business reports. However, if you want a more formal tone, you can use 'determine' or 'establish' instead. In everyday professional communication, 'figure out' is completely acceptable.
Is 'figure out' more American or British English?
'Figure out' is used in both American and British English, but it is especially common in American English. British speakers often use 'work out' in the same way — for example, 'I can't work out why it stopped' means the same as 'I can't figure out why it stopped'. Both are correct and widely understood.
What kinds of things can you 'figure out'?
You can figure out problems, answers, plans, reasons, or processes — anything that requires mental effort to understand. Very common examples include 'figure out a way to', 'figure out how to', 'figure out the answer', and 'figure out what went wrong'. It is less natural with simple facts that you just remember or look up.
Does 'Figure it out!' sound rude?
It can, depending on the situation. Saying 'Figure it out!' to someone as an instruction often sounds dismissive, as if you are telling them to solve the problem themselves without your help. In a friendly or encouraging context it can be fine, but use it carefully so it does not come across as impatient.
Can I say 'I am figuring out the answer' or does it sound strange?
This is grammatically correct and sounds natural, especially with phrases like 'still figuring out' or 'trying to figure out'. For example, 'I'm still figuring out the best approach' is very common. It shows that the process of understanding is ongoing, which is a perfectly natural thing to express.
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