Table of Contents
In general, these two words are very similar in meaning.
They are often interchanged in popular speech.
Outside
“Outside” is the opposite of “inside,” not being confined within a structure. It can also refer to the outer surface or outer appearance of something.
It serves as an adverb, an adjective, a preposition, or a noun.
Examples:
- The dog is barking because he is outside and wants to be inside. If he would quit barking, we would let him back in.
- adjective
- The thief’s actions were outside the law. Even stealing donuts is a crime. But eating them destroys the evidence.
- preposition
- It’s snowing outside! Let’s go build forts and throw snowballs at each other.
- adverb
- Better wear your mittens because it’s cold outside. And don’t forget your wool cap.
- adjective
- The outside wall was built of bricks, as is the outside of the house.
- adjective
- noun
- Honest, Mr. Game Warden. When I shot the deer, it was outside of the park. It ran back inside after I missed the first time.
- preposition
Out
“Out” implies movement away from inside.
Examples:
- Sorry, but she went out about five minutes ago. You just missed her. She won’t be back today.
- We put the dog out because he wouldn’t stop barking. It’s hard to listen to the TV with that much racket.
- We wanted to go out to make a snowman with that much nice, wet snow on the ground.
- He slipped out the door without letting anyone know to meet his friends. They were going swimming in the dark.
- Don’t wear your socks out by sliding on the floor so much.
“Out” is also used in certain verbal phrases. When used in this manner, “out” is not a preposition, so it may end a sentence. Even if it were, that is no longer a grammar crime.
- back out
- shout out
- keep out
- slip out
- take out
- bring out
- hand out
- pop out
- wear out
- work out
- put out
- find out
- eat out
- cut out
- ask out
- head out
Examples:
- Paul’s plan was to sneak out after everyone went to bed.
- He would have succeeded, but his friend backed out of meeting him with a car.
- Paul was very put out about that.
- “Wait’ll I find out where he went,” he thought.
- What good did it do to ask his girlfriend out when he had no transportation?
- He would have to work out a new plan.
- He wore out his socks stomping back from the park.
Photos by Ben Dumond on unsplash, Andy Li on unsplash.