Meaning & use
transpires
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“transpires” is a form of “transpire”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitiveformal
To happen or take place, especially in a way that is later reported.
Grammar: No object; the subject is the event: 'The meeting transpires at noon.'
Patterns
- something transpires
- it transpires that ...
Nobody knows exactly what transpires inside the room during the talks.
It later transpired that the two leaders had already met in private.
These events transpire over several weeks, not overnight.
verbintransitiveformal
To become known or to be revealed as a fact.
Grammar: Often used in the pattern 'it transpires that ...' with a clause after 'that'.
Patterns
- it transpires that ...
- it transpired later that ...
It transpired that the letter had never been sent.
As it transpires, she was right all along.
It transpires from the report that safety checks were skipped.
verbintransitivetechnicalbiology
Of a plant, to give off water vapor through tiny openings in its leaves.
Grammar: Used in biology; no object, and the subject is a plant or leaf.
Patterns
- a plant transpires
- leaves transpire
In hot weather the leaves transpire faster than the roots can replace the water.
Plants transpire mainly through pores called stomata.
Word forms
| base form | transpire |
|---|---|
| third person singular | transpires |
| past tense | transpired |
| past participle | transpired |
| -ing form | transpiring |
Common combinations
- it transpires that
- It transpires that the money was never paid.
- what transpires
- We will report on what transpires at the summit.
- later transpire
- The truth later transpired in a court hearing.
- events transpire
- Strange events transpire whenever the old clock strikes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- happen
- The everyday, neutral choice; 'transpire' sounds formal and is more common in writing than speech.
- occur
- More formal than 'happen' but less bookish than 'transpire'; often used for events that can be counted.
- emerge
- Fits better when a fact slowly becomes known, as in 'it emerged that ...', while 'transpire' stresses the finished revelation.
- turn out
- Informal and very common in speech for the 'become known' sense.
Word family
- transpiration noun
- The process by which plants release water vapor.
- transpiring adjective
- Happening or going on, as in 'the transpiring events'.
Commonly confused: transpires or transpire?
transpires vs transpire
This is the base form; 'transpires' is only for he, she or it. Say 'the event transpires', but 'the events transpire'.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
The pattern 'it transpires that ...' correctly shows a fact becoming known. Option 3 fails because 'transpire' cannot take an object meaning 'reveal', and option 4 wrongly uses it to mean 'postpone'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “transpires”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.