interest turned to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrasal verb "turn to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in the form of: to turn to somebody/something (for help/information/advice, etc). For example: Seeing that I was lost, I turned to the nearest passerby for directions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

After a year and a half, his interest turned to social sciences.

The New Yorker

From 1926 to 1936 Mathesius' interest turned to syntax and semantics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To the Editor: As I read the review of "Mortality," my interest turned to dismay.

The New York Times - Books

Increasingly his interest turned to Jewish history, as his own devotion to Judaism grew.

The Guardian

Rutherfurd's interest turned to spectroscopy, and in 1863 he published the first attempt to classify stellar spectra.

Encyclopedia Britannica

About 1856 Morgan's interest turned to the Seneca way of designating relatives, which differed markedly from Anglo-American convention.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

His face was still twisted in horror but his eyes were losing interest, turning to other things.

The New York Times - Books

It is hard to suppress the satisfaction when national interest turns to a landmark in your own neighbourhood: in this case, the old Mallett, Porter & Dowd Ltd building at 465 Caledonian Road, Islington.

The Guardian - Opinion

Interest turns to excitement.

Huffington Post

His interest turns to Beebo, whom he finds "handsome" and lost, and he takes her home, gets her drunk, and becomes asexually intimate with her.

Wikipedia

After briefly attending the University of Virginia, he traveled to Paris, where his interests turned to music.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "interest turned to" when describing a noticeable shift in someone's focus or passion. It implies a change in priorities or preferences, which can add depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "interest turned to" when there's no actual change in focus. This phrase implies a shift from one thing to another, not simply an additional interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "interest turned to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a shift in focus or enthusiasm from one subject or activity to another. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "interest turned to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a shift in focus or enthusiasm. According to Ludwig, it is valid and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly indicate both the initial and subsequent areas of interest to provide context and clarity. Consider alternatives like "focus shifted toward" or "became fascinated by" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became more interested in

Emphasizes the increase in the level of interest.

focus shifted toward

Emphasizes the change in focus rather than the initial interest.

shifted focus towards

Directly indicates a change in primary concern.

became fascinated by

Highlights the development of a strong positive feeling.

developed an enthusiasm for

Stresses the growth of excitement and passion.

attention was drawn to

Indicates an external force directing attention.

started to gravitate toward

Implies a gradual and natural movement of interest.

found a new passion in

Highlights the discovery of a strong liking.

began to take an interest in

Focuses on the start of the interest.

inclined towards

Suggests a leaning or preference in a particular direction.

FAQs

How can I use "interest turned to" in a sentence?

Use "interest turned to" to describe a change in focus or enthusiasm, such as, "After initially studying physics, his "interest turned to" social sciences".

What is a similar phrase to "interest turned to"?

Alternatives include "focus shifted toward", "attention was drawn to", or "became fascinated by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "interest turned to" formal or informal?

"Interest turned to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its acceptability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "interest turned to" and "became interested in"?

"Interest turned to" implies a change from a previous focus, while "became interested in" simply indicates the start of an interest without necessarily implying a prior one.