Learn English – What’s the meaning of ‘out’ when it comes after a verb

idiomsphrasal-verbsverbs

What's the difference between a verb like read and read out or shout and shout out and so on? How does "out" change the meaning of verbs?

Best Answer

Usually when applied to a verb involving speech, out involves the addressing of a group, normally a non-specific group, as in "anyone who will listen."

John spoke out when he saw injustice being done.

Mary shouted out for help.

The bailiff read out the charges against the defendant.

In other words, all who could hear were being addressed in each case.

Don't confuse "read out" with readout, however. As a noun, a readout is simply "a visual record or display of the output from a computer or scientific instrument." [NOAD]

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