Leaving a place or appearing outside

The idea

Come out means emerge or appear, often towards the speaker. It takes no direct object in this sense: use out of before the place left. The past is came out.

Examples

• The children came out of the house.
• Come out into the garden and see the snow.
• A rabbit came out from behind the bush.
• The sun came out after the rain.
• She came out of the shop with a small bag.
• Are the stars coming out already?

Watch out

Do not omit of before an enclosed place: say come out of the house, not come out the house in standard English.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct option. The dog came ___ of the shed. (out / along)

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   out

   out completes the phrase for emerging.

2. Choose the correct option. The moon ___ out an hour ago. (came / come)

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   came

   came places the appearance in the past.

3. Choose the correct option. Please come out ___ the tent. (of / with)

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   of

   of introduces the tent as the place left.

Use it today

Describe someone leaving a building and the sun appearing.