it was turned over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was turned over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been handed over, transferred, or changed possession. Example: "After the investigation, the evidence was turned over to the authorities for further examination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It was turned over to Honduras, then abandoned in 1994.

The New York Times

Rat poison was found in Coffman's purse and it was turned over to a Sheriff's Department investigator.

Harvard University

The theater belonged to the state until 1965, when it was turned over to the city.

The New York Times - Arts

And it was turned over to John H. Lambert, senior vice president and creative director.

The New York Times

Five drafts of it were written before it was turned over to Mr. Nixon to make his own changes.

The New York Times

She commanded the vessel to St. Thomas, where it was turned over to the United States consul.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The government issued a statement after its meeting announcing that it was turning over security of the province directly to the army.

The New York Times

The Cardinal thought it was turning over a new leaf in 2007, Coach Jim Harbaugh's first season, when it recorded its third victory on Oct. 20.

The New York Times

But even as it was turning over the mission to the United Nations, the new Clinton administration allowed itself to get sucked into Somalia's vortex of warring clans.

The New York Times

Carlson bought Minnesota Mailing Solutions, a postage meter dealer, in 1998 when it was turning over $900,000 in revenue.

Forbes

The files indicate that the US may have known about this torture when it was turning over thousands of prisoners to Iraqi custody.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was turned over", ensure the context clearly identifies both the original holder and the recipient of the transfer.

Common error

Avoid using "it was turned over" without specifying who turned it over and to whom. This can lead to confusion and weaken the clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was turned over" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something was transferred or handed over from one entity to another. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in contexts ranging from legal proceedings to historical transfers of property.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was turned over" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the transfer of something from one party to another. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and widely used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly news and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who turned it over and to whom. Alternatives such as "it was handed over" or "it was transferred" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was handed over

Emphasis on the act of physically passing something from one entity to another.

it was transferred

Focuses on the official change of ownership or responsibility.

it was relinquished

Highlights the act of giving up control or possession, often unwillingly.

it was ceded

Implies a formal or legal surrender of territory or rights.

it was passed on

Suggests a more informal or casual transfer, often of information or a task.

it was consigned

Refers to entrusting someone with something for a specific purpose.

it was yielded

Highlights the act of giving way or surrendering to pressure or demand.

it was conveyed

Focuses on the method or means by which something was transferred.

it was entrusted

Emphasizes the trust placed in the recipient of the transfer.

it was delivered

Suggests the completion of a process of transfer or handover.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was turned over" for more formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "it was transferred", "it was ceded", or "it was relinquished" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "it was turned over" the same as "it was handed over"?

While similar, "it was handed over" often implies a more direct, physical transfer, whereas "it was turned over" can refer to a more abstract transfer of responsibility or control. They are often interchangeable, but context matters.

What is the grammatical structure of "it was turned over"?

"It was turned over" is a passive construction using the past participle "turned" and the auxiliary verb "was". It indicates that the subject ("it") received the action of being turned over, rather than performing the action.

When is it appropriate to use "it was turned over" in a sentence?

Use "it was turned over" when you want to emphasize the object that was transferred, or when the actor doing the turning over is unknown or unimportant. For example, "The evidence "it was turned over" to the police".