As I turned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As I turned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action of turning, often in a narrative context, to set the scene or indicate a change in perspective. Example: "As I turned to leave the room, I noticed a strange figure standing in the doorway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As I turned the corner . . .

The New Yorker

As I turned, I was this close to him".

The New Yorker

As I turned another switch, it became apparent that I had lost some sense of direction.

The New Yorker

As I turned to walk home, I heard a voice behind me.

The New York Times - Magazine

As I turned around and said yes, I realized whom I was talking to.

The New York Times

As I turned to walk to the subway, a sign caught my eye: ST.

The New York Times

As I turned the page, the man standing next to me collapsed.

The New Yorker

As I turned back toward him, I caught two other girls staring at me.

The New York Times

As I turned to leave, Jigme asked her if he could pray inside the threshold.

The New Yorker

As I turned off to the b-road I could hear the roar of motorbikes behind me.

The Guardian

As I turned the pages I found deserted theatres, bare display cases, and rows of gloves drying on a line.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "As I turned" with sensory details to enhance the reader's experience. For example, describe what you saw, heard, or felt as you turned.

Common error

Avoid using "As I turned" in excessively passive constructions. Instead of "As I turned, the door was seen," prefer "As I turned, I saw the door" to maintain a stronger, more direct narrative voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "As I turned" functions as an adverbial clause of time, setting the temporal context for the main clause. It indicates that the action in the main clause occurred simultaneously with or immediately after the speaker's act of turning. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in narrative introductions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "As I turned" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial clause that functions to introduce a change in perspective or direction within a narrative. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media contexts. When using "As I turned", remember to maintain a direct narrative voice and consider the specific nuance you want to convey by choosing appropriate alternatives like "upon turning" or "when I turned". By employing these guidelines, you can effectively use "As I turned" to enhance your writing and create a compelling reading experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Upon turning

Emphasizes the immediate action of turning.

When I turned

Focuses on the timing of the turning action.

As I pivoted

Highlights a quick, precise turning movement.

Turning around

Emphasizes the act of reversing direction.

As I rotated

Suggests a more gradual or circular turning motion.

Looking back

Focuses on the act of seeing something behind.

As I swiveled

Implies turning on a fixed point.

Shifting my gaze

Emphasizes a change in visual focus.

Glancing back

Implies a quick, casual look behind.

Reversing direction

Highlights changing the way someone is headed.

FAQs

How can I use "As I turned" in a sentence?

"As I turned" is typically used at the beginning of a clause to describe a change in direction or perspective. For example, "As I turned the corner, I saw a crowd gathered."

What can I say instead of "As I turned"?

You can use alternatives like "upon turning", "when I turned", or "turning around" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "As I was turning" instead of "As I turned"?

Both "As I turned" and "As I was turning" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "As I turned" suggests a completed action, while "As I was turning" implies an action in progress.

What's the difference between "As I turned" and "When I turned"?

"As I turned" emphasizes the simultaneous nature of the turning action and the event that follows. "When I turned", on the other hand, simply indicates that the second event happened after the turning.