he is turning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is turning" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe an action in progress, or as part of a longer sentence to convey a specific meaning. Example: He is turning the key in the lock to open the door.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now he is turning on the president.

The Washington Post

He says he is turning that around.

The Guardian

He is turning it into an Italian restaurant.

The New York Times - Food

He is turning out to be more than correct.

The New York Times

At 84, he is turning again to his love.

The Guardian - Books

He is turning 65, the church's mandatory retirement age.

The New York Times

There are signs he is turning it around".

The Guardian - Sport

He is turning "The Gatekeepers" into a five-part series for Israeli television and a book.

The New York Times

Instead of building cars for stock, he is turning the production system on its head.

The Economist

At CBS, Leslie Moonves says that he is turning his attention back to the financial ledger.

The New Yorker

Now, he is turning his sights on men's-wear for women.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is turning" to describe ongoing actions or transformations, but consider stronger verbs for more vivid writing. For example, instead of "he is turning angry", try "he is becoming enraged".

Common error

Avoid using "he is turning" to describe habitual actions or states. For instance, don't say "he is turning kind" when you mean "he is kind" or "he is becoming kind" if you want to highlight the ongoing change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is turning" functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous tense, indicating an action or process that is currently in progress. Ludwig shows many examples where the phrase describes a person changing direction, focus, or even transforming into something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is turning" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction in the present continuous tense, commonly used to describe actions or states that are currently in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers numerous real-world examples, predominantly from News & Media sources. While its frequency is high, consider using stronger verbs or more precise alternatives to enhance your writing's impact. Be mindful of using it to describe ongoing actions rather than habitual ones. Overall, it's a reliable phrase to effectively communicate dynamic changes and evolving situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he's becoming

Focuses on the process of turning into something else.

he's transitioning

Emphasizes a shift or transformation someone is undergoing.

he is transforming

Highlights a significant change in form or appearance.

he is shifting

Indicates a change in direction or focus.

he's adapting

Emphasizes adjusting to new conditions or circumstances.

he is converting

Suggests a change from one form or belief to another.

he is switching

Suggests changing from one thing to another, often abruptly.

he is evolving

Highlights a gradual development or change over time.

he is morphing

Implies a gradual and subtle transformation.

he is metamorphosing

Implies a dramatic or complete transformation.

FAQs

How can I use "he is turning" in a sentence?

The phrase "he is turning" is used to describe an action or change that is currently in progress. For example, "He is turning the page" or "He is turning into a responsible adult".

What are some alternatives to "he is turning"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he is becoming", "he is shifting", or "he is transforming".

Which is correct, "he is turning" or "he turns"?

"He is turning" (present continuous) describes an ongoing action, while "he turns" (simple present) describes a habitual action or a general truth. For example, "He is turning the corner now" vs. "He turns the radio on every morning".

What's the difference between "he is turning" and "he was turning"?

"He is turning" refers to an action happening now, in the present. "He was turning" refers to an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.