How to use "figure out"

What Does "figure out" Mean?

• The phrasal verb "figure out" means to discover, understand, or find a solution to something. It implies a process of thinking or investigation.
• The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While "figure" relates to thinking or calculating, the addition of "out" contributes the sense of resolving or discovering something completely.
• Register: Neutral to informal.

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: verb + particle (+ noun phrase)
• Typical objects: problems, solutions, plans, reasons, people's behavior, calculations, puzzles.
• Typical complements/prepositions: "figure out how to...", "figure out why...", "figure out what..."
• The components can be separated, especially when the object is a pronoun: "figure it out." However, with longer noun phrases, separation can sound awkward.
• What sounds unnatural: "figure of the problem", "figure out to do", "figure the problem out" (with a longer noun phrase).

Real-World Examples

"Can't figure out why?" — Huffington Post

"You figure out a way." — Wikipedia

"Figure out your niche." — Huffington Post

"Figure out the problem!" — WikiHow

"Figure out a solution." — WikiHow

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/figure+out

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
solve	More direct and concise; typically used for problems.
resolve	More formal; implies a more complex or official problem.
understand	Focuses on comprehension rather than finding a solution.
work out	Similar meaning; can also mean to calculate or exercise.
determine	More formal; implies finding something out with certainty.
find out	Focuses on discovering information.
decipher	Implies interpreting something complex or coded.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong preposition: "figure on the problem" (incorrect). It should be "figure out the problem."
• Separating the verb and particle incorrectly: "figure the problem out" is less natural than "figure out the problem" when the object is a longer noun phrase. However, "figure it out" is correct when using a pronoun.
• Using a formal verb in its place: While "ascertain" might be technically correct, "figure out" is more common in everyday conversation.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
figure out	To discover, understand, or find a solution	verb + particle (+ noun phrase)	Neutral to informal

FAQs

Can I separate "figure" and "out" when using the phrasal verb figure out?

Yes, you can separate them, but it depends on the object. If the object is a pronoun, separation is required: "figure it out." If the object is a longer noun phrase, it's generally better to keep them together: "figure out the complex algorithm" is more natural than "figure the complex algorithm out."

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How is "figure out" different from "understand"?

While both relate to comprehension, "understand" generally means to grasp the meaning of something, whereas "figure out" implies a more active process of investigation or problem-solving to arrive at that understanding. You might understand a concept, but you figure out how to apply it.

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Is it wrong to say "figure the problem out" instead of "figure out the problem"?

While not strictly wrong, separating the verb and particle with a longer noun phrase object like "the problem" can sound awkward and less idiomatic. It's generally better to say "figure out the problem". However, with a pronoun object, separation is the standard: "figure it out."