spare turns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spare turns" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are referring to additional or extra turns, such as in games or activities, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "If you have any spare turns left, you can use them to gain an advantage in the game."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rollins's solo during that performance is brief, as it is in each of his other compositions for the film, epigrammatically precise mood pieces that imply far more with their spare turns of phrase than the movie's scenes do with their profuse dialogue and monologues.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The best designs, minimalist and spare, turn out to be some of the most miraculous works of modern art that America has produced.

The New York Times - Arts

(This is the popular view; another view is that those who wanted the death of the defeated gladiator turned their thumbs toward their breasts as a signal to stab him, and those who wished him to be spared turned their thumbs downward as a signal to drop the sword).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Or to put it another way, the big change between Carney's Bank of England and that of his immediate predecessors is that they refused to talk about what they thought the future path of interest rates would be, whereas he relishes making non-binding, very general statements that interest rates should remain low - unless the Bank of England's view on spare capacity turns out to be wrong.

BBC

SLIDE SHOW A new breed of Web site lets anyone with an apartment or spare room turn it into an impromptu B&B, and a bargain for travelers.

The New York Times

This is the kind of environment where a player's day is made or broken by a small-sided game in training; people slide during technical drills to try to make it work properly or save a stray pass; and card games in our spare time turn into fierce battles and weeklong arguments.

The New York Times - Sports

In his firm's case, you earn points by turning spare tyres into six-packs.

The Economist

Perlstein spares no turn of phrase to inform us of Nixon's Satanic political ambitions, but leaves in shadow the reality that Nixon may have been the single most skilled US politician of the 20th century.

Huffington Post

In his spare time, it turns out, he is a stone true-crime nut.

The New York Times - Books

In a nutshell, Manything is a video-monitoring service that turns spare or old iOS devices into sophisticated video-monitoring cameras.

The Guardian

Boston's odd signings and poor trades and spare victories had turned the team into a late-show punch line of the N.B.A.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In game-related contexts, "spare turns" can effectively convey the idea of having additional opportunities to play or act.

Common error

Avoid using "spare turns" in formal writing where clarity and widely accepted language are crucial. Opt for more conventional phrases to ensure your message is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spare turns" functions primarily as a noun phrase, indicating additional or extra opportunities to act. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is not standard, serving as a descriptive element within a sentence. The provided example from The New Yorker utilizes a similar structure, albeit with different words.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spare turns" refers to extra opportunities to act, though it is not a commonly recognized expression. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is grammatically acceptable but infrequent, with usage primarily found in news and media contexts. For clearer communication, alternatives like "extra chances" or "additional opportunities" may be preferred. While it isn't incorrect, using more conventional wording can enhance clarity and avoid potential confusion. Context is key when using "spare turns".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

additional opportunities

Replaces "spare" with "additional" to emphasize the extra nature of the opportunities.

extra chances

Substitutes both words to offer a more informal and direct alternative.

available actions

Focuses on the actions that can be taken, rather than the opportunities.

unused attempts

Highlights attempts that have not yet been used, implying potential.

remaining plays

Suitable for game-related contexts, emphasizing the remaining actions in a game.

supplementary moves

Uses more formal vocabulary to indicate extra moves or actions.

reserve options

Emphasizes that these are backup or reserve choices.

contingency plans

Shifts the focus to planning and potential backup strategies.

alternative courses of action

Replaces "spare turns" with a more formal and comprehensive option.

secondary possibilities

Highlights the possibilities that are not primary but still available.

FAQs

What does "spare turns" mean?

"Spare turns" typically refers to extra or additional opportunities to take action, especially in games or situations where turns are a limited resource. It's not a standard idiom, so it's best to use it in contexts where the meaning is clear.

What can I say instead of "spare turns"?

You can use alternatives like "extra chances", "additional opportunities", or "remaining plays" depending on the context.

Is "spare turns" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "spare turns" is not a common idiom. It is better to use more frequently used phrases to convey the same message, such as "additional turns".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "spare turns"?

"Spare turns" is most appropriate in informal settings, such as discussions about games or activities where participants take turns. In formal writing, it's better to use more standard alternatives.