Grammar fix
work out at
to calculate the total of something
to find the total amount or cost of something after doing the necessary calculations.
phrasal verbB2occasional
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The bill for dinner worked out at just over £30 per person.
When I calculated all my monthly expenses, they worked out at nearly half of my salary, which was surprising.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: It works out fifty pounds each.
Say: It works out at fifty pounds each.
Don't drop 'at' — 'work out AT' a figure (BrE).
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Work out at' is the natural BrE phrase for a calculated total; the formal version is stiff.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
works out at
- at
- about
- roughly
- per person