Figure sth about

[nyggus]

"We should figure something about a statement about our research."

Frankly, I don't like this about after "something". Would as for work instead? Or maybe there is something else, better in this situation?

Best,
Nyggus

[MikeNewYork]

"We should figure something about a statement about our research."

Frankly, I don't like this about after "something". Would as for work instead? Or maybe there is something else, better in this situation?

Best,
Nyggus

We should work on a statement about our research.

[nyggus]

We should work on a statement about our research.

Thanks, MNY. It works, of course. But I mainly wanted to learn about the phrase "figure something", not exactly about this particular example. So, what should I use with "figure something"?

All the best,
Nyggus

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks, MNY. It works, of course. But I mainly wanted to learn about the phrase "figure something", not exactly about this particular example. So, what should I use with "figure something"?

All the best,
Nyggus

We usually "figure something out", solve a puzzle, come up with a solution.

[BobK]

We usually "figure something out", solve a puzzle, come up with a solution.

...and when we can't figure something out, it 'doesn't figure'. In BE we are more likely to say 'it doesn't make sense' or 'it doesn't add up'. Today's techno-centrism has also encouraged expressions like 'it doesn't compute'.

There is an AmE usage of figure without the 'out': 'Go figure' (inviting someone to draw an obvious conclusion); in this case it means 'Go [and] figure [it out]'. This is rarely used in BE; I've heard it a few times, but only in situations where there was a multi-national culture with a strong US presence.


b

[nyggus]

...and when we can't figure something out, it 'doesn't figure'. In BE we are more likely to say 'it doesn't make sense' or 'it doesn't add up'. Today's techno-centrism has also encouraged expressions like 'it doesn't compute'.
There is an AmE usage of figure without the 'out': 'Go figure' (inviting someone to draw an obvious conclusion); in this case it means 'Go [and] figure [it out]'. This is rarely used in BE; I've heard it a few times, but only in situations where there was a multi-national culture with a strong US presence.
b

Do you mean that "figure sth" does not exist?

Nyggus

[BobK]

Do you mean that "figure sth" does not exist?
Nyggus

Well, almost, but never say never. . People do use 'figure object', but more often when the object is a person; and the 'out' is often expressed - the more formal the context, the more likely the 'out' is expressed.

I have heard these, in informal speech:

I just can't figure him.
I've never been able to figure people like that.

This usage becomes more common when there is an object complement:

I didn't figure him for a sucker.

And of course, 'figure sth' is quite acceptable if the 'sth' is a clause:

I didn't figure you'd come. [Informal, but quite common - maybe not so much in BE though - to express uncertainty.]

b

[MikeNewYork]

...and when we can't figure something out, it 'doesn't figure'. In BE we are more likely to say 'it doesn't make sense' or 'it doesn't add up'. Today's techno-centrism has also encouraged expressions like 'it doesn't compute'.

There is an AmE usage of figure without the 'out': 'Go figure' (inviting someone to draw an obvious conclusion); in this case it means 'Go [and] figure [it out]'. This is rarely used in BE; I've heard it a few times, but only in situations where there was a multi-national culture with a strong US presence.


b

Go figure.

[MikeNewYork]

Do you mean that "figure sth" does not exist?

Nyggus

If you mean that exact phrase, I've never heard it.

"Figure" can be a transitive verb:

I want you to figure 2 + 2. (slove the math problem)
I never figured him to be a liar. (suspected, concluded)
I never figured that you would do that. (ditto)

[nyggus]

And what about this thread -- http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...vs-figure.html ?

Nyggus