The verb TURN creates essential phrasal verbs for rotation and transformation. From turning on devices to turning into something new, this family covers direction, control, rejection, change, discovery, and time. Master these phrasal verbs and you'll express movement and transformation with ease.
Meaning: To rotate 180 degrees, to reverse direction, to improve a situation
"Turn around and look behind you."
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"The new CEO helped turn around the failing company."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Can mean physical rotation or improving a difficult situation.
Meaning: To flip something, to give control to someone, to think carefully
"Turn over the paper and write on the back."
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"Let me turn this idea over in my mind."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Multiple meanings: flipping, transferring, or contemplating.
Meaning: To flip completely, to disrupt or change dramatically
"Turn the glass upside down to drain the water."
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"The news turned his world upside down."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Often used metaphorically for major life changes or disruptions.
Meaning: To change direction to the left or right
"Turn left at the next traffic light."
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"Turn right when you see the big oak tree."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Essential for giving and following directions.
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Meaning: To start or activate something, to attack suddenly
"Please turn on the lights - it's getting dark."
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"The dog suddenly turned on its owner."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Most commonly used for electronic devices and appliances.
Meaning: To stop or deactivate something, to leave a main road
"Don't forget to turn off the computer before leaving."
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"Turn off at the next exit for the airport."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Essential for daily life with technology and driving directions.
Meaning: To increase volume or intensity, to appear unexpectedly
"Can you turn up the music? I can't hear it well."
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"My lost keys turned up in the kitchen drawer."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Can mean increasing volume/heat or finding lost items.
Meaning: To reduce volume, heat, or intensity
"Please turn down the TV - it's too loud."
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"Turn down the heat - the soup is boiling over."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Used with controls for sound, heat, and other adjustable settings.
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Meaning: To reject or refuse an offer, request, or invitation
"She turned down the job offer because of the low salary."
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"I had to turn down his invitation to the party."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
More polite way to say "refuse" or "reject."
Meaning: To look in a different direction, to refuse entry or service
"She turned away when she saw the accident."
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"The restaurant had to turn away customers because it was full."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Can mean avoiding something unpleasant or denying access.
Meaning: To return to where you came from, to reverse direction
"We had to turn back because of the heavy snow."
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"There's no turning back now - we must continue."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Often used when obstacles force a return or change of plans.
Meaning: To become hostile toward someone, to oppose
"The scandal caused the public to turn against the politician."
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"His own family turned against him after the betrayal."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Describes changing from support to opposition or hostility.
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You've mastered the TURN family! Discover other phrasal verb families and practice with interactive exercises.
Meaning: To transform or change into something else
"The caterpillar will turn into a beautiful butterfly."
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"What started as a small argument turned into a big fight."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Perfect for describing transformations and changes.
Meaning: To result in a particular way, to attend an event, to produce
"The party turned out better than we expected."
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"Many people turned out for the charity event."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Very versatile: results, attendance, or production.
Meaning: To seek help from someone, to go to a specific page
"When I have problems, I always turn to my best friend."
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"Please turn to page 45 in your textbook."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Common for seeking support and navigating books/documents.
Meaning: To arrive or appear, especially unexpectedly
"He turned up at the party without an invitation."
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"The missing document turned up in his desk drawer."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Often implies surprise or unexpected discovery.
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You've mastered the TURN family! Discover other phrasal verb families and practice with interactive exercises.
Meaning: To seek assistance, support, or guidance from someone
"Students often turn to their teachers for guidance."
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"In difficult times, people turn to their faith."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Important for describing support systems and help-seeking.
Meaning: To reach a particular age
"She turns 18 next month and can finally vote."
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"When I turn 65, I plan to retire."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Common way to express reaching milestone ages or birthdays.
Meaning: To have a particular result or outcome
"The weather turned out perfect for our picnic."
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"It turned out that he was right all along."
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๐ก Usage Tip:
Essential for describing how situations developed or concluded.