Use happen to plus an infinitive to mean by chance, as in I happened to see her at the station, and turn out to plus an infinitive to show how a situation is finally revealed, as in the plan turned out to be a disaster. Turn out can also take an adjective directly, as in the weather turned out nice.
Grammar Rule
Happen to and turn out to are both followed directly by an infinitive, never a gerund.
Happen To / Turn Out To: Rules and Examples
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| happen to + infinitive | by chance/coincidence | I happened to see her at the station. Do you happen to know his phone number? |
| turn out to + infinitive | how a situation is revealed | The plan turned out to be a disaster. |
| it happened/turned out that | impersonal that-clause | It turned out that she was right all along. |
| turn out + adjective | final result (no to be) | The weather turned out nice for the picnic. |
Remember: happen/turn out + to-infinitive; it happened/turned out + that-clause; turn out + adjective, not adverb.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using happen to and turn out to correctly. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
B2-48. Happen to / Turn out to
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does happen to plus an infinitive mean?
By chance or coincidence, as in I happened to see her at the station.
What does turn out to plus an infinitive mean?
How a situation is finally revealed, as in the plan turned out to be a disaster.
Can turn out be followed directly by an adjective?
Yes, without to be, as in the weather turned out nice for the picnic.
What form follows happen to and turn out to?
An infinitive, never a gerund, as in do you happen to know his phone number.