it was turned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was turned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that has been completed in the past, often referring to something being rotated or changed in position. Example: "The knob was stiff, but after a few tries, it was turned to the right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The key phrase in the Purim story is v'nahafokh hu, and "it was turned upside down".

Huffington Post

It was turned down.

Independent

Unfortunately, it was turned down.

The New York Times

Again, it was turned down.

The Guardian

It was turned into a video.

The Guardian

It was turned off for the wedding.

The New York Times

It was turned down by another 12.

The Guardian - Books

Sometimes it was turned off entirely.

The New Yorker

It was turned down by publishers.

The New York Times - Books

It was turned on just before the Caesarean section.

The New York Times

I see a bubble!" It was turned down.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was turned", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, preventing ambiguity. For example, instead of "It was turned down", specify "The proposal was turned down."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "it was turned" as it can make writing sound vague and less direct. Consider using active voice for a stronger impact: "They turned it down" is more direct than "It was turned down."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was turned" primarily functions as a passive construction, where "it" serves as the subject receiving the action of being turned. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was turned" is a versatile passive construction, widely employed across diverse contexts to denote a past action involving a change or rejection. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance, particularly in news and academic domains. While grammatically sound, users should be mindful of potential ambiguity and overuse of the passive voice. For related phrases, consider alternatives such as "it got flipped" or "it was rejected" to add nuance. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively incorporate "it was turned" into their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was transformed

Highlights a significant alteration in form or nature.

it was altered

Focuses on making changes or modifications.

it was converted

Implies a change in function or purpose.

it was modified

Like "altered", but often implies a more technical or specific change.

it got flipped

Uses "flipped" to emphasize a sudden or complete change.

it was declined

Similar to "rejected" but can sound more formal.

it was overturned

Suggests a reversal of a decision or situation.

it was rejected

Focuses on the aspect of refusal or non-acceptance.

it was remodeled

Implies a structural or cosmetic change, especially to a building.

it was shifted

Suggests a movement or change in position or strategy.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "it was turned down" to sound more active?

Instead of "it was turned down", try using an active voice construction like "they rejected "it"" or "the committee declined "it"".

Is it better to use "it was turned off" or "it was switched off"?

Both "it was turned off" and "it was switched off" are acceptable, but "switched off" might be more appropriate for electronic devices. "Turned off" can apply to a broader range of things, such as a tap or a light.

What does "it was turned into" mean?

"It was turned into" indicates that something was transformed or converted into something else. For instance, "The old factory "it was turned" into apartments" means the factory was converted to residential use.

How can I use "it was turned" in a sentence about a sports game?

In sports, you might say "The game "it was turned" around in the final quarter" to indicate a significant shift in momentum or score.