good turn

USAGE SUMMARY

"good turn" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to an act of kindness or generosity in order to help someone, such as “I appreciated your good turn of buying me lunch.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a good turn of events.

The New York Times - Sports

The Modern Prodigal/One Good Turn Deserves Another.

Columbia University

But the original good turn is still the main thing.

The New York Times

"But sometimes not every good turn works out".

The New York Times

Her theater career began as a good turn.

The New York Times

MAN'S proverbial best friends are performing yet another good turn.

The Economist

Still, you'll have done her a good turn.

The New York Times

But it may have done the EU a good turn.

The Economist

"It's another good turn of the screw," he said.

The Washington Post

"I like doing a good turn daily," he said.

The New York Times

There is much to admire in One Good Turn.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "good turn" to describe a specific instance of someone doing something helpful or kind for another person. It often implies reciprocity or the expectation of future kindness, as in the saying "one good turn deserves another".

Common error

Avoid using "good turn" when describing acts of pure altruism where no return is expected or desired. In such cases, a phrase like "act of kindness" or "selfless deed" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good turn" functions primarily as a noun phrase, referring to an act of kindness or a helpful deed. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and can be used in written English. Examples show its use in describing specific actions and in the common idiom "one good turn deserves another".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "good turn" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a helpful or kind act. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for general use in English writing. Its primary function is as a noun phrase, serving to express gratitude, describe actions, or suggest reciprocity. While versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media, highlighting its relevance in everyday communication. Remember to use "good turn" when reciprocity is implied, as it is not typically applicable to acts of pure altruism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act of kindness

Focuses specifically on the benevolent nature of the action.

act of goodwill

Emphasizes the positive intent and friendly nature of the action.

helpful deed

Highlights the beneficial aspect of the action.

kind gesture

Emphasizes the thoughtfulness and consideration behind the action.

favor

A more general term for an act of assistance.

benevolent act

More formal and emphasizes the generosity of the action.

service

Implies a more formal or structured act of assistance.

act of charity

Implies giving or helping those in need.

boon

Refers to something beneficial or helpful.

stroke of luck

Highlights the fortunate or serendipitous nature of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "good turn" in a sentence?

You can use "good turn" to describe an act of kindness or assistance, such as, "He did me a "good turn" by helping me move my furniture".

What's a more formal way to say "good turn"?

A more formal alternative to "good turn" could be "benevolent act" or "act of goodwill", depending on the context.

What does the saying "one good turn deserves another" mean?

The saying "one good turn deserves another" means that if someone does something kind for you, you should reciprocate the kindness when you have the opportunity.

Is "good turn" only used to describe acts between people?

While "good turn" is often used to describe acts between people, it can also describe events or situations that have a positive outcome. For instance, you might say, "The unexpected rain did the garden a "good turn"".