What Does “Weigh sth out” Mean?
“Weigh sth out” means to measure the weight of something carefully, usually by using scales, to get an exact amount.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Weigh sth out” is commonly used when you want to describe the action of measuring a specific quantity of an item by weight. This is especially useful in cooking, science, or any situation where precision matters. Understanding the Weigh sth out meaning helps learners use it correctly in different contexts. It often involves separating a portion from a larger amount to get the exact weight required.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: weigh something out
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to measure and separate a specific weight of something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Weigh sth out” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (something) between “weigh” and “out” or after “out.”
- Weigh something out
- Weigh out something
Both forms are correct, but the first is more common in everyday speech.
How to Use Weigh sth out?
Use “weigh sth out” when you want to talk about measuring a specific amount of a substance or item by weight. It is often used in cooking, chemistry, or when dealing with products sold by weight.
Example contexts include weighing flour for a recipe, weighing parcels before shipping, or weighing ingredients in a lab.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “weigh sth out” in context:
- Before baking, I always weigh the flour out carefully to get the perfect texture.
- Could you weigh the sugar out for the recipe? We need exactly 200 grams.
- The pharmacist weighed out the medicine before giving it to the patient.
- Weighing out the coffee beans ensures a consistent taste every time.
- The store assistant weighed out the cheese and wrapped it for me.
These examples show how to weigh sth out in a sentence naturally.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse “weigh out” with “weigh” or use the wrong word order. Here are some common errors:
- Incorrect: Can you out weigh the sugar?
- Correct: Can you weigh out the sugar?
- Incorrect: I need to weigh out carefully.
- Correct: I need to weigh something out carefully.
Remember, the object must be included, and “weigh out” should stay together.
Differences / Synonyms
“Weigh sth out” is similar to “measure out,” but they are not identical. “Measure out” can refer to liquids or volumes, while “weigh out” specifically refers to weight.
- Weigh out: Focuses on measuring by weight (grams, pounds, etc.)
- Measure out: Can mean measuring by volume or weight
- Weigh: Simply means to find the weight of something, not necessarily separating an amount
Common Collocations
When using “weigh sth out,” certain objects are commonly paired with it. These collocations help you use the phrasal verb naturally.
- Flour: a powder used in baking
- Sugar: sweet granules used in cooking
- Medicine: pharmaceutical substances
- Coffee beans: raw or roasted beans used to make coffee
- Cheese: dairy product sold by weight
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of weigh sth out:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “weigh sth out” naturally:
Anna: Can you weigh out 100 grams of flour for the cake?
Ben: Sure, I’ll do it now.
Anna: Thanks! It’s important to weigh it out exactly for the recipe to work.
Practice
Try to complete the sentence below with the correct form of the phrasal verb:
“Please _________ 250 grams of sugar before adding it to the mixture.”
- a) weigh out
- b) weigh
- c) weigh up
- d) weigh in
Answer: a) weigh out
FAQ
- Q: Can “weigh out” be used for liquids?
A: Usually no, it refers to measuring weight, not volume. - Q: Is “weigh out” separable?
A: Yes, you can say “weigh something out” or “weigh out something.” - Q: What is the difference between “weigh out” and “measure out”?
A: “Weigh out” is for weight; “measure out” can be weight or volume. - Q: Can I use “weigh out” in informal speech?
A: Yes, it is common in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Is “weigh out” only used in cooking?
A: No, it is also used in science, shipping, and other areas.
