turn out: meaning and explanation
We use the phrasal verb turn out to describe something that happens which is surprising or different to what we were expecting.
For example, if I say that something turned out well, I was probably expecting it to be bad, but it was actually OK. If something turned out very badly, I was probably confident or optimistic about something, but in the end it was a disaster.
We can also use this verb with an infinitive if we want to add more detail.
For example: "I met a man on the bus this morning who turned out to be my cousin's new boyfriend". In this example, the result (the man is connected to you in some way) is unexpected and surprising.
Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?
Listening exercises
Dictation #1
Accent: North America
About the sentence
...the first time...
Notice how the /t/ at the end of 'first' and the /t/ at the beginning of 'time' are pronounced as one sound. This feature of connected speech is called gemination or twinning, and it can make it difficult to identify the beginning and end of words in rapid spoken English.
The same thing would happen in the sentences: "You're right to ask", and "It took two hours to get to the office this morning".
Dictation #2
Accent: Northern England
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Dictation #3
Accent: England (RP)
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About the sentence
...I hadn't been expecting much...
The past perfect (I hadn't been expecting much) is used here because it communicates an action (not expecting much) that took place before the main action in the sentence (it turned out to be...).
This kind of structure is useful to use when your expectations for something turned out to be wrong, e.g. I had been expecting him to be late as usual, but he actually arrived before me.
...insightful...
If something is insightful, then it shows deep understanding of something. e.g. I always appreciate Susan's feedback on my work. Her comments are so insightful.
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