Ways to say it
| French |
|---|
| s'avérer |
| se finir |
| se terminer |
s'avérer describes how something proves to be in the end, such as a project that turns out difficult or things that turn out well. se terminer and se finir are about how something ends, so they fit when turn out means the way an event finished.
Which one should you use?
s'avérer means to turn out to be or prove to be, and it is often found in more formal or written French. se terminer and se finir simply mean to end or to finish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the informal question Ça a viré comment? can be used to ask how something turned out.
How does it change in a sentence?
s'avérer is a pronominal verb, so it always needs a reflexive pronoun such as se or s' to mean to turn out. It is usually followed by an adjective, as in s'avérer difficile.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not drop the reflexive pronoun. Without it the verb does not carry the meaning to turn out.
Did you know?
- In strict traditional grammar, s'avérer should only be used with adjectives that mean 'true'. Using it as a general synonym for 'to turn out' was once considered a mistake by purists.
- The verb s'avérer is closely related to the word vérité, which means 'truth'. Using it suggests that the result was not just a coincidence but a revealed truth.
- The verb terminer comes from the Latin termināre, which means 'to set a boundary'. This root also gives English the word 'terminal'.
Examples in context
- J'avais le pressentiment que ce projet pourrait s'avérer difficile.I had an inkling this project might turn out difficult.Here s'avérer difficile means to turn out difficult.Tatoeba #12838972 by lbdx, translation #12838971 by AlanF_US
- Nous allons probablement beaucoup nous confronter car nous sommes tous deux dotés de fortes opinions. Cependant, si nous parvenons à nous respecter, les choses devraient se passer sans heurts. Elles pourraient même s'avérer tout à fait positives.We're probably going to clash a lot as we're both heavily opinionated people. However, if we can both respect each other, things should blow over smoothly. They could possibly turn out quite nicely even.Here s'avérer tout à fait positives means to turn out quite nicely, with the adjective agreeing with the feminine plural subject.Tatoeba #4609352 by sacredceltic, translation #4606262 by slyfin
- Comment la fête s'est-elle passée ?How did the party turn out?
- Le plan a-t-il bien fonctionné ?Did the plan turn out well?
- Le projet s'est avéré être un succès.The project turned out to be a success.
- Cette solution pourrait s'avérer efficace.This solution might turn out to be effective.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a recent job interview.
- GabrielComment s'est passé ton entretien ?How did your interview go?
- LéaC'était difficile, mais ça pourrait s'avérer positif.It was difficult, but it might turn out to be positive.
- GabrielJe l'espère pour toi, Léa.I hope so for you, Léa.
- LéaMerci, je te tiendrai au courant.Thanks, I will keep you posted.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turn out” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries finir, se, terminer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
