as it turned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it turned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a situation or outcome that was unexpected or different from what was anticipated. Example: "I thought the meeting would be boring, but as it turned out, it was quite engaging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nothing, as it turned out.

The New York Times

No, as it turned out.

The New York Times

As it turned out, both worked.

The New York Times

As it turned out, Kidwai was mistaken.

The New Yorker

A major one, as it turned out.

The New Yorker

Incomparably worse, as it turned out.

The New York Times - Magazine

As it turned out, he was right.

Independent

Not true, as it turned out.

Independent

As it turned out, he was wrong.

The New York Times

As it turned out: not a lot.

Independent

Big problem, as it turned out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it turned" to introduce an outcome that contrasts with initial expectations. This can add a layer of surprise or irony to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as it turned" when the outcome is already obvious or predictable. Save it for situations where the result is genuinely unexpected or revealing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it turned" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb in the main clause by introducing a surprising or unexpected outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as it turned" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce unexpected or surprising outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly in news and media. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, writers should consider the subtlety of more formal alternatives like "as it transpired" in academic or scientific writing. Avoiding overuse in predictable narratives will ensure its impact when highlighting genuine twists or revelations. The most authoritative sources leveraging this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian, and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as it transpired

Replaces "turned" with "transpired", suggesting a more formal unfolding of events.

as it happened

Focuses on the occurrence of events, replacing "turned" with "happened" to emphasize chance or coincidence.

in the end

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the final outcome or result.

eventually

Emphasizes the time it took for the outcome to become clear.

subsequently

Indicates that something followed after a period of time, similar to how things "turned" out.

in retrospect

Highlights a reflective understanding of how things turned out.

as things unfolded

Emphasizes the process of events leading to the outcome, rather than the outcome itself.

it later emerged

Suggests that the outcome became known or revealed at a later time.

in due course

Implies that the outcome was reached after a certain amount of time or natural progression.

ultimately

Stresses the finality and importance of the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "as it turned" in a sentence?

Use "as it turned" to introduce a situation or outcome that was unexpected. For example, "I thought the project would fail, but "as it turned", it was a huge success".

What phrases are similar to "as it turned"?

You can use alternatives like "as it happened", "in the end", or "eventually" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "as it turns out" interchangeable with "as it turned"?

While similar, "as it turns out" often implies a more immediate realization, whereas ""as it turned"" suggests a result known after some time. For example: "As it turns out, I was wrong" vs "As it turned, the investment paid off after five years".

Can "as it turned" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""as it turned"" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing unexpected outcomes in a narrative or report. More formal alternatives, such as "as it transpired", may also be considered.