2009年6月12日
Find vs. Find Out - Corrections
Hi team,
Thanks for the messages of congratulations. I think I will be able to show you a picture of my new nephew on Monday. In the meantime, here are my responses to your example sentences...
I found out difference from your comment.
(No. I would say "your comment helped me to understand the difference."
I'll find your name at the book store.
(Sorry, I don't understand the meaning of this sentence. Why is it in the future tense?)
I'll find out your opinion about English from your book.
(This is a bit strange, too. As I said, "find out" is not usually followed by a noun. How about "I'll find out what you think about English from your book"?
I found the mistakes from this book.
(I'm not sure what this means. What kind of mistakes did you find? Where?)
I want to find out the answer from this book.
(Again, I'm not really sure how this sentence would be used.)
I found it difficult to learn English.
(OK)
I'll find out some evidence that he did that crime.
(No. This would be "find."
I found my old books in my room.
(OK)
1. I found out his secret.
(OK)
2. I found his secret.
(This is strange because you cannot touch a secret. "I found his secret diary" would be okay.)
3. I found out the answer to the question.
(OK)
4. I found the answer to the question.
(OK. Number 3 and number 4 might have the same meaning, but number 4 means you found it yourself. Number 3 could also mean that somebody told you.)
1. I found out that It's too difficult to write in English.
(OK)
2. I found out that Coffee-fresh(waseieigo) isn't a kind of milk, on the Wikipedia.
(I found out on Wikipedia that coffee-fresh isn't a kind of milk.)
1. I found a good old photo when I was creaning my room.
(OK, but "cleaning")
2. At last I found out a good blog on web site to study English.
(No. This would be "found" because a blog is like a "thing" - it is not a kind of information.
1. I found a really nice book at the book store, and it made me feel happy.
(To be honest, I want to use" find out" to express '見つけ出した'feeling, but I chose "find" here.)
(Your original sentence is correct. "Find out" would be wrong.)
2. I found out that he had been cheating on me.
( I'm not sure the difference of nuance if I use"found".)
(OK. You could not really use "find" for this sentence.)
3.I tried a baked tomato. I found it to be tasty.
(OK, but "it was tasty" would be more natural.
4.A...I found where my co-worker lived.
(This means that you physically looked for her house or apartment building and found it.)
B...I found out where my co-worker lived.
(This means you just found out her address.)
After reading your new entry, I found out that you had a good time last Saturday.
(This is not wrong, but it is not very natural. "I found out from your new entry that you had ..." would be better.)
I lost my job, so I have to find a new job.
(OK)
I found a book looks interesting at the book store.
(I found an interesting-looking book at the book store.)
I found out that the book was not interesting than I expected.
("found out" is correct, but "I found out that the book was not as interesting as I had expected.)
I haven’t seen my boy friend for a while. I have to find time to see him.
(OK)
1. One day I found my way home by myself when I was lost on the way in Canada.
(OK, but delete "on the way")
2. At last I found out a way of doing the return.
(I don't understand this. What does "doing a return" mean?)
3. I would not be able to find out my way home, if I couldn't speak English at all.
(No, this should be 'find'.)
4. I would not find it, if I couldn't speak English at all.
(I'm not sure what this sentence means.)
5. I was surprised to find him in there.
(OK)
6. How did you find out this?
(No. This is a good example of the difference. You can say "find this" or "find out about this".)
7. He went to India to find himself.
(Yes, but this is a completely different type of phrase. This is the expression "to find yourself".)
1. I found out that I can run faster than her.
(OK)
2. I didn't find out who visited me yesterday.
(OK)
3. Can you find out where the concert is going to be held?
(OK. This is a good example of the difference. If you used "find" in this sentence, it would mean " can you show me the place?")
4. I found the shorter way to your house.
(OK, but "a shorter way".)
5. I found nice shoes which match a dress I have at the shop.
(OK, but "I found a nice pair of shoes at the shop that match my dress.)
*I found out where is the nearest post office from
my apartment.
(I found out where the nearest post office to my apartment was.) (This mistake is explained in my new book.)
*I found out why the price of petrol was going up
these days.
(OK, but "was" should be "is".
*It's sometimes difficult to find out which shop is trustworthy when you are shopping at a tourist spot.
(OK. You could also say "difficult to find a trustworthy shop". This is another good example of the difference.)
*I've been very busy, but I will find a time to be relaxed.
(I've been very busy, but I will find time to relax.)
*I found a nice chair which is suitable for my room.
(OK)
1. At last, I found out where the cockroach hole was.
(OK)
2. I found a marvelous line at the cloudless sky.
(Sorry, I don't understand that.)
3. At the lost and found office I found out my favorite small ornament.
(No, this would be "found".)
4. I found out the reason why she screamed in fear every night.
(OK. You could also just delete "the reason".)
5. It seems that is difficult to find out the return way in Aokigahara woodland.
(No. This would be "find".)
I hope this was useful for you. Have a great weekend, and see you on Monday.
David
Comments
Hi David,
Thank you for your feedback.
Thinking about the difference between "find" and "find out" was a good opportunity for me, and members example sentences and your explanations were very helpful to understand the difference.
My understanding was that "find" is '見つける'and ' "find out" is ' 見つけ出す'. I've never thought that you can't "find out" something that you can touch. This idea helps me a lot to understand the difference.
>4.A...I found where my co-worker lived.
(This means that you physically looked for her house or apartment building and found it.)
B...I found out where my co-worker lived.
(This means you just found out her address.)
I thought both A and B would be OK, but I wanted to know the difference of the nuance.
Your explanations is very helpful, but I don't think I understand what you said fully at the moment, so learning this point is my homework.
By the way, I understand you don't have time to correct all the sentences, but both himitsu and May also made examples sentences, so would you give us some comments if you have time?
Here are example sentences(himitsu and May).
*from himitsu:
I found a good news of you on my PC yesterday.
I found out that the newborn baby of your brother is a boy.
*from May:
I was looking for my wallet all morning. I found out where it was. I found it in the pocket of my coat.
Have a nice weekend,
Anne
- Anne
- 2009年6月12日 21:46
Hi Anne,
Thanks - I missed those.
*from himitsu:
I found a good news of you on my PC yesterday.
(I don't think either 'found' or 'found out' would be right here.)
I found out that the newborn baby of your brother is a boy.
(OK)
*from May:
I was looking for my wallet all morning. I found out where it was. I found it in the pocket of my coat.
(OK, but 'I found out where it was' makes it sound like somebody told you.)
- David
- 2009年6月12日 22:05
It's OK!David and Anne,Thank you! But actually I say,for the former sentence,I understood that I should not use FIND. But I just only wanted to try to make sentences about the news of David! So Congratulations again,and
have a good weekend! himitsu
- himitsu
- 2009年6月13日 00:46
Hi David
Thank you for your feedback.
Now I think I’ve got it, but it will take time to use them properly.
As Anne mentioned, we cannot use 'find out' something that you can touch is really helpful. At least I won’t forget this idea.
Good night and have a nice weekend.
- amo
- 2009年6月13日 00:48
Hi,David!
Thank you for correcting my sentences.
I have to work today(Sat).....
How about you?
Do you have any plans for this weekend?
Have a nice weekend!
Green
- Green
- 2009年6月13日 08:49
Hello,David!
I Visited again.I have a quention.
You corrected my sentence
「At last I found out good blog on web site to study English.」
you said that blog is like a thing, not information.
So how about this?
「I found out a good website to study English.」
Do I have a same mistake?
Green
- Green
- 2009年6月13日 14:50
Hi, David and everyone!
This is my first comment to your blog.
My partner and I recently moved to a small island
located near Vancouver, Canada. It is a lovely
place to stay, where you are not only provided
great nature, but you are offered friendship.
Improving English is vital for me to be involved the community.
Let's work together and have fun!
よろしくね。
- BCK
- 2009年6月13日 15:31
Hi BCK,
Nice to have you with us. One of my best friends moved to Canada last year, so I am hoping to visit him sometime in the near future.
Hi Green,
Yes, that is the same mistake. Maybe it is easier to understand if I say that you don't usually use 'find out' with anything that you can see. You can see a website, so you would use 'find'. Does that help?
- David
- 2009年6月13日 17:43
BCK,How do youd do?
I have been to Vancouver abot 5years ago.
I stayed there only one week.
Do you live near Vancouver?
I envy you!
I took part in this team for harf a month.
Let's enjoy!
(My English is very poor.Sorry.....)
Green
- Green
- 2009年6月13日 17:47
Hi,David!
Thank you very much for explanation.
I understand how to use 「find」 and 「find out」！
Have a nice weekend!
Green
- Green
- 2009年6月13日 18:09
Hi BCK,
Welcome to the blog! Yes, let's have fun!
Look forward to hearing from you again soon.
Tomo
- Tomo
- 2009年6月13日 19:09
Hi BCK,
Welcome to the blog! I lived in Vancouver for one year. Do you live in Victoria?
Hi Everyone,
Today, my friend and I went to a film festival called Short Shorts Film Festival. It was exciting to see the movies we translated on screen with the audience. We also enjoyed other short movies from all over the world. It was a lot of fun!
- Lily
- 2009年6月13日 21:41
Hi David,
Thank you for your correction.
And I read it again and again.
I'm getting to understand a nuance.
your correction was useful for me.
Thank you so much.
- Kazu
- 2009年6月13日 21:42
Hi BCK,
Welcome to the blog! Canada is one of the countries where I want to visit.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Hi himitsu,
You are welcome.
Hi Lily,
You saw the movies which you translated? Wow! That's great.
Anne
- Anne
- 2009年6月13日 22:11
Hello,again David.
When I re-read my comment,I was so afraid if my words offends you.
Can I make it in other words?
But actually I say,for the former sentence,I understood that I should not use FIND. But I just could not help making sentences about the news of YOU!
Thank you,again! himitsu
- himitsu
- 2009年6月13日 22:22
Hi David,
Thanks for your feedback. It was very helpful. I didn't know the difference between "find" and "find out". Actually, when I read your explanations on the last entry, I was confused a little, but after I made some sentences and read your feedback, I understood them.
Hi BCK,
Welcome to the blog! Let's enjoy learning English!
Hi Lily,
I respect you!
Hi Anne,
You like the singer "Josh Groban", don't you? Next month, my friends will marry, and they are going to have a wedding party. She requested me to sing a song at the party. I was thinking which song is the best, and I thought of Josh Groban. His songs are romantic, right? I want to sing a song of him, but actually, I don't know songs of him much. Do you have a song you recommend?
Amica
- Amica
- 2009年6月13日 23:32
Hi David,
Thank you for your feedback.
It was really helpful for me, and lots of examples of every one's were helpful, too.
At first, I didn't understand it, but I got it little by little.
Your explanation; find: often used with nouns. And find out: you cannot touch something.
These your explanation were very easy to understand.
Thank you so much again, David.
Welcome, new members!
Everyone have a good day!
- eeko
- 2009年6月14日 07:16
As I understand it then, this is a list of what you have been saying with other verbs which have a lot to do with them. Please correct me if I am wrong or give new verbs you are to recommend to be added.
(1)find: to discover
(2)find out: to get information
(3)know: to have information or to be familiar with
(4)get to know: to become familiar with
(5)understand: to know the meaning
(6)realize: to know how important it is
(7)be aware: to know that a serious situation exists
(8)can tell: to know that something is true
(9)recognize: to know who someone is or what something is
(10)see: to understand the truth or the reason
(11)follow: to understand a explanation etc.
(12)figure out: to think about something until you understand it
(13)appreciate: to understand clearly
(14)notice: to realize that something is there
What do you think of or about this?
Mie
- Mie
- 2009年6月14日 09:46
Thank you for making me feel welcomed!
We are living on a small island "Bowen." Bowen
Island is close to Vancouver, just a 15-minute
ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, but seems like
world away. It's really a small island, meaning,
there is not so much to do. I know some people
say Bowen Island is BORING ISLAND. It's kind of
ture, yet, we love being here.
If you have a chance, visit us!
- BCK
- 2009年6月14日 12:59
Hi Lily,
You watched the movies you translated on a big screen with the audience? How exciting! That must be a great feeling. While you were having fun at the film festival, I was having a complete medical checkup at the hospital, ha ha.
Hi BCK,
I checked Bowen Island on the Internet and saw some pictures of it. You live in a beautiful place!
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Tomo
- Tomo
- 2009年6月14日 14:40
Hi BCK,
Oh, Bowen Island! I've been there too. It was a lovely little island.
Hi Tomo,
You had a medical check-up? That's good :-)
- Lily
- 2009年6月14日 15:14
Davidさん、Anneさん、
Mayです。文章を見ていただいてありがとうございました。
作った文章に番号を付けなかったので、Davidさんに、気づいてもらえなかったんだな、次から気をつけようと思っていたら、Anneが、代わってお願いしてくれて、Davidさんが、すぐ答えてくれて、びっくりするやら、恐縮するやら。ありがとうございました。すべての文章にすごく丁寧な解説で"You must be tired."と言ってしまいそうです。
- May
- 2009年6月14日 15:39
Hi Amica,
Yes, I'm a big fan of Josh Groban!
You are going to sing a song of Josh? That's nice.
Well, I recommend you two songs,not Italian version but English version.
1."You're still you" :
The lyrics of this song is great, and melody is beautiful. A few years ago , the day before Princess Sayako's wedding, she sang this song for her parents,the Emperor and Empress.
The lyrics starts from
"Through the darkness
I can see your light
And you will always shine
And I can feel your heart in mine
..........
I think it's kind of a song showing the respect from a daughter to a mother( or parent).
2. "You raise me up":
This song became famous because Sizuka Arakawa, the ice skater, used this song at the Olympic game and won the gold medal. Actually, at the competition, Celtic woman's song was used.
Hope this helps.
Hi May,
どういたしまして＾＾）偶然気がついたので、少しおせっかいおばさんしてみました。
Bye for now,
Anne
- Anne
- 2009年6月14日 20:40
Hi Daivd,
Sorry to be late, but thank you for your feedback!!
It's really helpful for me. I noticed that I had made some mistakes which you pointed out after posting my comment. One thing I often make a mistake and hesitate is about "time" with "a" and without "a" , though it's very simple and basic one. For example, "Have a good time." needs "a" with "time", because it mentions limited time. "I find time to relax." doesn't need "a", because of unlimited time. Is this understanding OK?
Hi Lily,
It's really great!! If I'm not wrong, the festival also helds in Sapporo every year. I'm not sure the same one or not, though. I'd like to watch the movies if possible.;-)
Hi BCK,
Welcome to the blog! The west of Canada is one of the places where I want to visit some time.;-)
By for now,
Maki
- Maki
- 2009年6月14日 21:07
Hi David,
Thank you for your feedback. It's really helpful. You said, “'find out' is not usually followed by a noun”, but I wanted to make example sentences that 'find out' is used with a noun this time, so that's why I made the sentences below.
1. I found out his secret.
2. I found his secret.
3. I found out the answer to the question.
4. I found the answer to the question.
Number 2 is strange because you cannot touch a secret, I see. I read all the example sentences in the entry again and again, and I kind of got a feel for how 'find' and 'find out' are used. If you find some "things", you use 'find', and if you find some "information", you use 'find out'. That's why "find" is often used with nouns and "found out" is often used with 'that' clauses or 'where, who, when', etc.., right?
＞Number 3 and number 4 might have the same meaning, but number 4 means you found it yourself. Number 3 could also mean that somebody told you.
＞This means that you physically looked for her house or apartment building and found it. / This means you just found out her address.
＞You can say "find this" or "find out about this".
＞If you used "find" in this sentence, it would mean " can you show me the place?"
The explanations above helped me a lot to understand the difference. Thank you!
Have a great weekend, and see you on Monday.
Tomo
PS I'm looking forward to seeing your new nephew!