but he turned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but he turned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a change in direction or decision made by a male subject in a narrative context. Example: "She was about to confess her feelings, but he turned and walked away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But he turned out to be right".

The New York Times

But he turned the film down.

The New Yorker

"Cardboard!" But he turned them down.

The New York Times

"But he turned them around.

The Guardian - Sport

But he turned his head to avoid an accidental bump.

The New York Times - Sports

But he turned from a democrat into an autocrat.

The New York Times

"But he turned it around and started racing again.

The New York Times - Sports

But he turned no stomachs and lost no votes either.

The Guardian

But he turned serious when asked about the weekend crash.

The New York Times

But he turned almost Delphic when asked about Europe's crisis.

The New York Times

But he turned left instead, and she went with him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "turned". It can imply a physical shift, a change in attitude, or a reversal of fortune. Choose synonyms carefully to match your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "but he turned" when a more specific verb would better convey the action. For instance, instead of "but he turned angry", consider "but he became angry" or "but he grew angry" to be more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but he turned" typically serves as a transitional phrase, indicating a change in direction, decision, or state of being. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. The phrase connects contrasting ideas, showing a shift from an initial expectation or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

13%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but he turned" functions as a versatile connector, primarily employed to signal a change in direction, action, or condition. Ludwig AI shows that it is considered grammatically correct and suitable for use in writing. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, but also present in encyclopedic and academic sources, it maintains a neutral register and serves to introduce unexpected twists or shifts in narratives. Understanding the nuances of "turned" is key to employing this phrase effectively. It is important to note that this analysis is based on a substantial number of real-world examples, supporting its accuracy and applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, he then

Replaces "but" with "however" and simplifies the verb to "then", indicating a sequence of events.

yet, he shifted

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and employs "shifted" to convey a change in position or perspective.

nonetheless, he veered

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless" and uses "veered" to imply a change in direction.

conversely, his attention moved

Employs "conversely" and clarifies that it's a shift in attention, not a physical turn.

instead, he opted

Indicates a choice or preference for something different.

on the contrary, he decided

Presents a direct opposition in decision-making.

on the other hand, he proceeded

Introduces a contrasting action or continuation.

in contrast, he began

Highlights a change in behavior or starting a new action.

despite this, he commenced

Acknowledges a previous situation, then contrasts it with a new commencement.

even so, he initiated

Similar to "despite this", focusing on starting something new.

FAQs

How can I use "but he turned" in a sentence?

The phrase "but he turned" is used to show a change in action, direction, or state. For example, "He was expected to fail, "but he turned" the situation around".

What are some alternatives to "but he turned"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "however he then", "yet he shifted", or "instead he opted" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but he turned"?

While starting a sentence with "but" is sometimes discouraged in very formal writing, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in narrative and conversational contexts. The key is to ensure it logically connects to the previous idea.

What does "but he turned" imply about the subject's action?

The phrase "but he turned" suggests a deviation from an expected or previous action, attitude, or course. It indicates a change of direction or a shift in focus, often implying a contrast or unexpected development.