What are the definitions of “hunt out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Search until you find something.
It took me ages to HUNT OUT the photos.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “hunt out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb hunt out is to search for something until you find it. It often implies that the search is difficult or takes a long time.
What are the different verb forms of “hunt out”?
| Root Verb | hunt out |
| Third Person Singular Present | hunts out |
| Present Participle | hunting out |
| Simple Past | hunted out |
| Past Participle | hunted out |
Example
I need to hunt out my old photo albums from the attic.
Example
She hunts out the best deals when shopping for clothes.
Example
He is hunting out the perfect gift for his girlfriend.
Example
Yesterday, they hunted out the rare book they were looking for.
Example
The missing documents were finally hunted out after a long search.
What kind of phrasal verb is “hunt out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“hunt out” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
I hunted out the old family photos.
Example
She hunted the best deals out when shopping.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“hunt out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I hunted out the old family photos.
Example
She hunted the best deals out when shopping.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “hunt out”?
To search for and gather information, often through research or investigation.
Example
The journalist hunted out information about the scandal.
Good things to know
Does “hunt out” have an informal or formal tone?
Hunt out is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal writing or speech, depending on the specific context.
