Turn apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Turn apart" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may confuse readers, as it lacks context and clarity. Example: "The machine will turn apart if not properly maintained."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

By 5pm Yasir had yielded 100 runs without taking a wicket in 25 overs and Misbah had nowhere to turn – apart from a couple of gentle overs from Azhar Ali.

The Guardian - Sport

If any coins touch during a turn – apart from the initial "push-off" – that turn ends.

Independent

In order to stabilize the complex, we used a modular design in which the RNA was engineered to form a homodimer, with each subunit containing a GAAA tetraloop phased one helical turn apart from its cognate 11-nucleotide receptor domain.

Journal of Molecular Biology

In turn, apart from maintaining acidosis, autacoids released during postconditioning activate survival signaling pathways including reperfusion injury salvage kinese pathway [ 21].

Basic Research in Cardiology

Similarly, BEB identified sites 158 and 162 are both situated one α helical turn apart in the fourth transmembrane α helix, and both substituted along the branch terminating in the Tropheus duboisi RH2aβ opsin sequence.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

This motif may have the role of introducing flexibility, or permit ion passage in the helix, considering that a shift of seven residues would be the optimal distance to orient two residues one helix turn apart.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Despite flying under the flags of philanthropy and humanitarianism the scheme - named internet.org - seems ridiculously transparent: Facebook makes its money by selling a captive audience to advertisers and as Facebook-adoption in developed countries nears saturation point, who can Zuckerberg turn to apart from those poor souls without an active connection?

Independent

In comparison, the men appeared to lack support networks, some even felt that they had no-one to turn to, apart from their partner and, for some, their work colleagues.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

All the leadership candidates turned up apart from Leadsom.

The Guardian

10.17am BST Actually they all turned round apart from will.i.am.am

The Guardian - TV & Radio

All of them turned up (apart from the dead one), and as soon as the RZA, the GZA, Raekwon and the rest ambled onstage it was like a big family reunion.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you intend to convey a physical separation, specify the manner in which something is being turned to achieve that separation. For example, "twist and pull apart".

Common error

Avoid using "turn apart" when describing abstract concepts or situations that don't involve a literal act of rotating or changing direction to create separation. Instead, opt for alternatives that more accurately reflect the intended meaning, such as "disintegrate" or "diverge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Turn apart" functions as a verb phrase, suggesting an action of separation achieved through turning or twisting. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's not a standard or commonly used phrase, potentially leading to ambiguity. Examples from Ludwig show its occasional use in contexts involving physical objects being separated or structures being dismantled.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "Turn apart" can be understood in certain contexts, it is not a standard or grammatically favored expression in English. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is infrequent, with clearer and more common alternatives such as "break apart", "fall apart", or "take apart" often serving as better choices. The register tends toward informal, and its communicative purpose generally involves describing a separation or disintegration, frequently with an element of manipulation or force. Therefore, writers should exercise caution when using "Turn apart", opting for more precise and widely accepted alternatives to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Break apart

Focuses on forceful separation into pieces.

Fall apart

Emphasizes disintegration or failure to maintain cohesion.

Split apart

Highlights a division into distinct parts.

Come apart

Suggests a natural or gradual separation.

Take apart

Implies intentional dismantling for examination or repair.

Turn away

Indicates a redirection or avoidance.

Turn aside

Similar to "turn away", but can also imply a temporary shift in focus.

Turn from

Suggests a deliberate abandonment of something.

Change direction

Focuses solely on the alteration of course or orientation.

Dismantle

Implies a careful and systematic deconstruction.

FAQs

What does "Turn apart" mean?

The phrase "Turn apart" is not a standard or commonly used phrase in English. It generally suggests separating something by twisting or changing its direction. However, it's often better to use clearer alternatives to avoid confusion.

What can I say instead of "Turn apart"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "break apart", "fall apart", "split apart", or "take apart".

Is "Turn apart" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "Turn apart" is not a standard or widely accepted phrase. Using more common alternatives will improve clarity and avoid potential misinterpretation.

How can I use "break apart" instead of "Turn apart"?

Use "break apart" when you want to emphasize a forceful separation into pieces. For example, "The old building began to break apart during the demolition."