they turned up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they turned up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone arrived or appeared at a location or event. Example: "Despite the bad weather, they turned up to the party and made it a memorable night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They turned up wanting a fight".

Independent

"Then they turned up in the morning.

Independent

Have they turned up any human fossils?

The New York Times

They turned up surprising answers.

The Guardian

They turned up 17,000 unregistered addresses.

The New York Times

"They turned up the heat," D'Antoni said.

The New York Times - Sports

They turned up again in San Diego.

The Guardian

I mainly just shot people as they turned up.

The New York Times

"I wouldn't be surprised if they turned up," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

England were not quite there when they turned up.

Independent

"They turned up the intensity," Nets Coach Lawrence Frank said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they turned up" when you want to convey the idea that a group of people arrived at a specific place or event, often implying a sense of expectation or surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "they turned up" when you simply want to state a fact of presence without any added nuance of expectation or surprise. In such cases, using "they were present" or "they arrived" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "they turned up" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating the arrival or appearance of a group. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts to denote presence at a location or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "they turned up" is a grammatically correct and very common way to indicate the arrival or appearance of a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal alternatives like "they arrived" in professional or academic settings. Remember that using "they turned up" often implies an element of expectation or surprise, which should align with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they arrived

Focuses specifically on the act of reaching a destination.

they appeared

Emphasizes the act of becoming visible or noticeable.

they showed up

An informal way of saying they arrived or attended.

they materialized

Suggests a sudden or unexpected appearance, almost as if from nowhere.

they surfaced

Implies emerging from obscurity or a hidden state.

they emerged

Highlights the act of coming out of something or somewhere.

they came

A simple and direct way of indicating arrival.

they were present

Highlights their existence or attendance at a particular place or event.

they presented themselves

Suggests a formal or deliberate act of appearing.

they were discovered

Implies something previously unknown was found about them.

FAQs

What does "they turned up" mean?

"They turned up" means a group of people arrived or appeared, often unexpectedly or after being anticipated. It's a phrasal verb indicating presence at a specific location or event.

How can I use "they turned up" in a sentence?

You can use "they turned up" to describe the arrival of a group: "Despite the rain, "they showed up" at the concert." or "When we searched the house, "they turned up" some hidden documents."

What are some alternatives to "they turned up"?

Alternatives to "they turned up" include "they arrived", "they appeared", "they showed up", or "they materialized" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "they turned up" formal or informal?

"They turned up" is generally considered informal but acceptable in most contexts. In more formal writing, "they arrived" or "they were present" may be more suitable.