taking a turn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking a turn" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It typically refers to someone or something changing direction or course, or to someone assuming responsibility or control. For example: - "After walking straight for a few blocks, they decided to take a turn down the alleyway." - "The company's profits were declining until the new CEO took a turn and implemented successful strategies." - "I'm next in line, so I'll be taking a turn at the wheel soon." - "The meeting took a turn when the controversial topic was brought up." - "The weather took a turn for the worse, causing the outdoor event to be cancelled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"All right," Kilmeade said, taking a turn.

The Washington Post

Now, high art is taking a turn at a makeover.

The New York Times

Things seem to be taking a turn for the better.

The Guardian - Film

Soon though, everything starts taking a turn for the better.

The Guardian - Travel

Rolf and I switch each flight, taking a turn in the observer's seat behind Don.

The New York Times

Increasingly, shoppers are taking a turn toward that age-old solution, the capsule wardrobe.

Independent

"Menuet" starts with sparkling Classical energy before taking a turn toward a presentiment of death.

The New York Times - Arts

But things started taking a turn for the worse in recent years.

The Washington Post

Then the dancers make a circle, each one taking a turn in the center.

The New York Times - Arts

Another player quickly moved in, nudging Mr. François aside and taking a turn.

The New York Times

Volunteers kept joining the expedition, taking a turn at carrying the stretcher.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking a turn" when you want to express a shift in direction, responsibility, or condition. It's suitable for describing changes in various contexts, from personal actions to broader trends.

Common error

Avoid using "taking a turn" literally in contexts where a more direct term like "turning" or "rotating" is appropriate. "Taking a turn" often implies more than just a physical change of direction; it can suggest a change in circumstances or roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a turn" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It can describe an action in progress, such as physically changing direction or figuratively altering a course of action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to signify a shift or change in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking a turn" is a versatile gerund phrase commonly used to express a change in direction, responsibility, or condition. As Ludwig AI notes, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable, as supported by numerous examples from diverse and authoritative sources. While its register is generally neutral, it's essential to consider the context to ensure its idiomatic use aligns with the intended meaning. Avoid literal interpretations in situations where a more direct term would be more appropriate. It appears most frequently in “News & Media” and “Academia”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

changing course

Directly refers to altering the direction or path of something.

altering direction

Similar to "changing course", but can be more subtle in its implication of a change.

assuming a shift

Focuses on the act of assuming a change or new direction.

adopting a new tactic

Suggests implementing a new strategy or approach.

assuming responsibility

Highlights the aspect of taking on a duty or obligation.

participating in rotation

Emphasizes the cyclical nature of taking part in something.

stepping up to bat

Idiomatic expression for taking one's opportunity or responsibility.

doing one's part

Highlights contributing to a shared effort.

sharing the load

Focuses on distributing effort or responsibility among multiple parties.

becoming involved

Indicates entering into a process or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "taking a turn" in a sentence?

You can use "taking a turn" to describe a change in direction, like "The road was taking a turn to the left". It can also mean assuming responsibility, such as "Each team member is "sharing the workload" and taking a turn at leading the project".

What are some alternatives to "taking a turn"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "changing course" to describe a change in direction, or "assuming responsibility" to indicate taking on a task.

Is it correct to say "take a turn" or "taking a turn"?

"Take a turn" is often used as an imperative, such as "Take a turn at the wheel". "Taking a turn" is used as a gerund, for example, "He was "changing direction", taking a turn down a side street".

What does it mean when someone says things are "taking a turn for the worse"?

This means that a situation is "deteriorating" or "getting worse". For instance, "After a promising start, the company's financial situation started taking a turn for the worse".