Read out means to read something aloud so that other people can hear it: a list, an announcement, results, a message. Usually it is specific information read to everyone present: “read out the names”, “read out the answer”.
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read out + list/names/results; read it out (to + person); read out loud
- At the end of the course, our teacher read out the names of everyone who had passed.
- I can't see the screen from here, so could you read out the booking code?
- My flatmate read out the landlord's email, and we decided together how to reply.
What changed
First versionCan you read loudly the first question for everyone?
RevisionCan you read out the first question for everyone?
“Loudly” may seem to fit, but it only describes how strong your voice is. The idea of reading something for other people is expressed by “read out”, and the thing you read comes straight after it: “read out the first question”.
“Read aloud” also means reading so that others can hear, and it is often used for reading a book or a longer text, for example to children: I read aloud to my son before bed. “Read out” is more often about what you read to everyone: names, numbers, an announcement.
Your turn
I was driving, so my friend took my phone and ___ the message to me.
Show the answer
read out — The friend read the message aloud so that the driver could hear it, so “read out” is right. “Read through” means to read something from start to finish, usually silently, and it does not combine with “to me” like this.
Imagine you are leading a meeting or a lesson. Write what you will read out and who it is for.
At the start of the meeting, I will read out the new holiday rules for the whole team.
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