at the turn of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the turn of" is correct and is often used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an event or happening at the beginning or end of a certain period of time. Example: At the turn of the 20th century, there was a great industrial revolution in the United States.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

AT THE turn of the 1960s, something happened to sculpture.

The Economist

At the turn of the 20th century, Capt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tells about the town at the turn of the century.

The New Yorker

Anesthesia, at the turn of the century, progressed slowly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's like Paris at the turn of the century.

The New York Times

Some expressed disappointment at the turn of events.

The New York Times

It quoted one person disgusted at the turn of events.

The Guardian - Opinion

This happened at the turn of the 20th century.

The Guardian - Tech

At the turn of the year they were 22nd.

The Guardian - Sport

Blackpool sat eighth at the turn of the year.

The Guardian - Sport

Some Austin residents are angry at the turn of events.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the turn of" to specify a period of transition or a point where something changes significantly, such as "at the turn of the century" or "at the turn of events".

Common error

Avoid using "at the turn of" when referring to a gradual process rather than a specific point or relatively short period of transition. For example, it would be incorrect to say "at the turn of the decade, climate change became a problem", because climate change developed gradually over the decade.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the turn of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a specific point in time or a change in circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the turn of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote a transition or specific point in time, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various authoritative sources make it a reliable choice for contextualizing information. As highlighted by the provided examples, "at the turn of" commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, making it suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to a specific point of transition rather than a gradual process to avoid misuse. Alternatives like "at the beginning of" or "with the advent of" can also be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the beginning of

Indicates the start of a period or event, similar to the beginning of a turn.

during the transition to

Emphasizes the process of change between two states or periods.

with the advent of

Highlights the arrival or emergence of something new.

as a new era began

Focuses on the start of a new period, often with significant changes.

at the dawn of

Suggests the beginning or initial phase of something.

in the wake of

Indicates what follows an event, focusing on the consequences or aftermath.

following the shift to

Highlights a change and what comes after it.

subsequent to the change in

Emphasizes the sequence of events, with one event following a change in another.

after the transformation of

Focuses on the period after a significant change or transformation.

as a consequence of the shift towards

Highlights a relationship between a shift and its effects.

FAQs

How can I use "at the turn of" in a sentence?

Use "at the turn of" to indicate a transition point. For example, "at the turn of the century, many new technologies emerged".

What's a good alternative to "at the turn of" when describing the start of an era?

You can use phrases like "at the beginning of" or "with the advent of" to describe the commencement of a new period or era.

Is it correct to use "at the turn of" to describe a change in circumstances?

Yes, "at the turn of" can describe a shift in events. For example, "at the turn of events, the situation became more complicated".

What is the difference between "at the turn of the century" and "in the early years of the century"?

"At the turn of the century" refers to the period right around the year 1900 (for the 20th century) or 2000 (for the 21st century). "In the early years of the century" describes a broader period, encompassing perhaps the first one or two decades.