Find vs find out

Question

Hello,is there any difference between those two sentences?When I entered the room I found that my wallet had disappeared.When I entered the room I found out that my wallet had disappeared.As I see it find in the first sentence is close in meaning to "discover" or perhaps  "see" In the second sentence it suggests that I got some some information perhaps someone told me that my wallet had disappeared. How would you describe the difference between these two verbs?BestDaniel

Ivanhr · Accepted Answer

As far as I can tell, the meaning of "find" in the first sentence is closest to realize.

GPY · Answer

AnonymousWhen I entered the room I found that my wallet had disappeared.When I entered the room I found out that my wallet had disappeared.As I see it find in the first sentence is close in meaning to "discover" or perhaps "see" In the second sentence it suggests that I got some some information perhaps someone told me that my wallet had disappeared. How would you describe the difference between these two verbs?

Right, "find out" typically has the nuance of discovering or learning something that is aleady known (or at least potentially known) to other people. This may be because someone tells you. However, because this kind of "finding out" is not so obviously associated with entering a room, there remains some doubt, without further context, whether it was actually intended in this case.

Miriam Mozrui · Answer

The first sentence suggests you had left your wallet in the room and when you returned it was missing.
If that is the case, then rewrite it: When I returned to, or when I re-entered, the room I found my wallet had disappeared. (omit "that". It sounds better without).

The second sentence suggests that you had the wallet with you, or you thought you did, only to discover it was missing when you got into the room.

Anonymous · Answer

The meaning is very close for the two sentences.  The problem as I see it however is more of logic than grammar.  You would typically say "After I left the room I found/found out that my wallet had disappeared."  The implication here is that the wallet disappeared in the room, so you would not discover this upon entering the room for the first time.

GPY · Answer

Miriam Mozruiomit "that". It sounds better without

Sorry, I don't agree with this. It's OK with or without "that", but in polished English I would personally prefer to include it.

Miriam Mozrui · Answer

GPY:
What is your definition of 'polished' English

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousAs I see it find in the first sentence is close in meaning to "discover" or perhaps "see" In the second sentence it suggests that I got some some information perhaps someone told me that my wallet had disappeared. How would you describe the difference between these two verbs?

I think that your description is fine. "find out" is often associated with the verb "know". If I have found out (something), then I know it. I agree with what was said above that "find" by itself can be closer to "realize". It also has the connotation of "notice for the first time". When I returned from work, I found that our pet dog had got loose and was wandering around the neighborhood. ("found out" would be closer to "was told".)

CJ

Find vs find out

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