turn grey

USAGE SUMMARY

"turn grey" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would typically use this phrase to describe a loss of color, often referring to hair. For example, you might say: "He had a full head of hair when he was young, but it has slowly started to turn grey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

At least Derry's hair cannot turn grey.

Independent

I saw Obama win twice – saw his hair turn grey.

The Guardian - Books

If you overcook the liver it will turn grey and rubbery and lose its flavour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When Paul looks up, the sky's blue deepens and skyscrapers turn grey, "as though withdrawing information".

The Guardian - Books

After seven months, his hair began to turn grey from the stress.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Note that this smoothie can't be kept for long, because after a while the banana will turn grey.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

His audience had turned grey with him.

The Economist

Defenders turned grey chasing vainly after him.

The Guardian - Sport

Specimens turned grey or black when anodising after heat treatment.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The tartare sauce was turned grey by the sooty breadcrumbs".

The Guardian - Books

The faces of the children are turning grey.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turn grey" to describe a gradual change in color, often associated with aging hair or weathering materials. For instance, "His hair began to turn grey after years of stress."

Common error

Avoid using "turn grey" when describing something that becomes a completely different color, such as "turn red" or "turn blue". "Turn grey" specifically implies a transition to a grey shade, often from an original color.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn grey" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a process or change of state. It describes the action of something becoming grey. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "turn grey" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase widely used to describe a change in color, most commonly associated with aging or weathering. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage across varied contexts. The phrase enjoys widespread use in news, media, scientific writing, and general discourse. Alternatives like "become gray" or "go gray" provide synonymous options, while it's important to avoid misusing it to describe entirely different color transitions. Remember to choose the correct spelling – "grey" (British English) or "gray" (American English) – depending on your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become gray

Replaces "turn" with "become", providing a more direct synonym.

go gray

Uses "go" instead of "turn", indicating a transition to grey.

grey out

Employs a phrasal verb with "out", suggesting a fading to grey.

lose color

Focuses on the loss of color, resulting in a grey appearance.

fade to grey

Highlights the gradual fading of color into grey.

silver

Uses a verb that describes the action of becoming silver or grey.

become colorless

Describes losing all color which can result in a greyish hue depending on the starting color.

lose vibrancy

Indicates a loss of brightness and color, potentially leading to a muted, grey appearance.

take on a greyish tinge

Emphasizes the subtle appearance of grey.

develop a grey hue

Highlights the development of grey as a shade or tint.

FAQs

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

You can use "turn grey" to describe a change in color, typically associated with aging hair, like: "Her hair started to "turn grey" in her late thirties".

What's the difference between "turn grey" and "go grey"?

While both "turn grey" and "go grey" are used to describe hair losing its color, they are largely interchangeable. "Go grey" might be slightly more informal, but the meaning remains the same.

What can I say instead of "turn grey"?

Alternatives to "turn grey" include phrases like "become gray", "grey out", or "fade to grey", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something "turned grey" or "turned gray"?

"Turned grey" and "turned gray" are both correct. "Grey" is the British English spelling, while "gray" is the American English spelling. Choose the spelling appropriate for your audience.