supposed to be turned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to be turned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is expected or required to be rotated or changed in position. Example: "The sign is supposed to be turned to face the street for better visibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Are we supposed to be turned on?

The New York Times

Cellphones are supposed to be turned off in school.

The New York Times

Everyone else was supposed to be turned away.

The New York Times

The building is supposed to be turned into housing for some of the neighborhood's Hasidic residents.

The New York Times

But if all this is so, how, exactly, is the Arab street supposed to be turned into Main Street?

The New Yorker

Somehow, though, the three incidents this week were different from, say, blooper moments - nasty remarks picked up by microphones that were supposed to be turned off.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Lady Gaga is supposed to be turning up.

The Guardian - Music

The bus was not supposed to be turning onto a side street.

The New York Times

Congress is finally supposed to be turning its attention to the No Child Left Behind law, the education law that passed in the administration of president George W. Bush, and was supposed to be rewritten in 2007.

The Washington Post

First would come the gold-painted fir cones that my mother made during the war, and drilled for wires in the factory where she was supposed to be turning out machine-gun parts.

The Guardian - Books

There was little good news Thursday out of Texas from a company that's supposed to be turning around.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supposed to be turned", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being turned and the reason for the action. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to be turned" when an active construction would be more direct and clear. Overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to be turned" functions as a descriptor indicating a required or expected action to rotate or change the position of something. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to be turned" correctly conveys an expectation or requirement for something to be rotated or repositioned. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across different contexts, particularly in news and scientific domains. When writing, ensure that the context clearly identifies what needs to be turned and why, avoiding overuse of the passive voice for clearer communication. While the phrase is generally acceptable, considering alternative phrasing such as "meant to be rotated" or "expected to be flipped" can sometimes enhance clarity depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to be rotated

Emphasizes intention or design for rotation.

intended to be reversed

Specifically highlights the act of reversing something.

expected to be flipped

Focuses on the anticipation of a flipping action.

required to be inverted

Indicates a mandatory inversion process.

designed for rotation

Highlights the design aspect that facilitates turning.

planned to be rotated

Emphasizes the element of planning for a rotational action.

scheduled for turning

Indicates that turning is part of a set schedule.

set to be swivelled

Implies a swiveling action is going to happen.

slated for repositioning

Focuses on the planned action of repositioning something.

predetermined to be shifted

Stresses that the shift was decided in advance.

FAQs

What does "supposed to be turned" mean?

The phrase "supposed to be turned" indicates that something is expected, intended, or required to be rotated or changed in position. It often implies a plan or instruction that should be followed.

How can I use "supposed to be turned" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe expectations, like "The key is "supposed to be turned" twice" or "The valve is "supposed to be turned" clockwise."

What are some alternatives to "supposed to be turned"?

Alternatives include "meant to be rotated", "intended to be reversed", or "expected to be flipped", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "turn"?

While "supposed to be turned" (passive) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "you are supposed to turn it") can sometimes be more direct and easier to understand.