turn off

USAGE SUMMARY

"turn off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are turning off a device or an operation. For example: "I'm going to turn off the TV now."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Turn off cell phone.

The New Yorker

To turn off tweets?

The New Yorker

Voters turn off.

BBC

Turn off the negativity.

WikiHow

Turn off weather updates.

WikiHow

Turn off iTunes Match.

WikiHow

Turn off cruise control.

WikiHow

Turn off the electronics.

WikiHow

Never turn off.

WikiHow

Turn off all lights.

WikiHow

Turn off Contacts.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, specify what exactly needs to be turned off. For example, instead of "Turn off everything," write "Turn off all electronic devices."

Common error

Avoid using "turn off" when you mean to say that something makes you lose interest or feel repulsed. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "bore", "repulse", or "disgust" to better convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "turn off" is that of a phrasal verb. It acts as a verb modifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is commonly used to indicate the action of ceasing the operation of a device or system.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

58%

News & Media

19%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "turn off" is a very common and grammatically correct way to instruct the deactivation of a device or system. Ludwig AI underscores its usability in diverse writing contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid using "turn off" to express repulsion or disinterest, opting for alternatives like "bore" or "repulse" instead. Source analysis reveals frequent usage in "Wiki" and "News & Media", reflecting its widespread applicability in both informal and informative settings. For alternative expressions, consider "switch off", "power down", or "shut down".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

switch off

Replaces "turn" with "switch", emphasizing the action of flipping a switch to deactivate something.

power down

Focuses on the action of reducing the power supply to a device.

shut down

Implies a more complete and often orderly cessation of operation.

disable

Highlights the deactivation of a function or feature.

deactivate

Similar to disable, but often used in more formal or technical contexts.

cut off

Suggests a sudden or abrupt termination of something.

cease operation

A more formal way of saying to stop working.

halt

Implies a sudden and forceful stop to an activity or process.

put an end to

Focuses on bringing something to a complete stop.

terminate

A more formal term for ending something, often used in official or technical settings.

FAQs

How to use "turn off" in a sentence?

You can use "turn off" to describe the action of stopping a device from functioning, such as "Please "turn off" the lights when you leave the room" or "I need to "turn off" my computer before I go home".

What can I say instead of "turn off"?

Alternatives to "turn off" include "switch off", "power down", or "shut down", depending on the specific context. They all refer to stopping the operation of a device or system.

Which is correct, "turn off" or "switch off"?

Both "turn off" and "switch off" are correct and commonly used. The choice depends on personal preference or regional dialect, as they convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "turn off" and "shut down"?

"Turn off" is a more general term for stopping the operation of a device, while "shut down" often implies a more controlled and complete cessation of operation, especially for computers and complex systems.