turn off your computer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn off your computer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to power down their computer, often in a context related to troubleshooting or ending a session. Example: "If the program is not responding, please turn off your computer and restart it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Turn off your computer without saving your data to your hard disk and you've lost that information forever.

Science Magazine

Turn off your computer every night.

WikiHow

And above all: turn off your computer and go out to smell the flowers.

The New York Times

Pick one full day to turn off your computer, smartphone, iPod, iPad, television and all your other gadgets.

The New York Times

If you want your allowance, if you don't want me to turn off your computer, then you've got to perform.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To reacquaint yourself with the alphabet, turn off your computer, pick up a pencil and start writing those letters by hand.

The New York Times

If you want to change the screens that appear when you shut down your computer -- "Please wait while your computer shuts down" and "It's now safe to turn off your computer" -- you can do that by renaming the old files and replacing them with your new choices.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

So turn off your computers, go knock on your neighbor's door, and don't take "no" for an answer.

University of California, Berkeley

So when you turned off your computer it was gone!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cary Curtis: "Facebook notifications, tweets and emails are all common distractors, so turning off your computer can be a shrewd move.

The Guardian

"Sometimes I send an e-mail saying gently, 'Maybe you should try turning off your computer for a few hours,' " she said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to shut down their computer, specify if you want them to save their work first to avoid data loss.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying whether a full shutdown or a restart is required, as users may interpret "turn off" differently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn off your computer" functions as an imperative, directly instructing the listener to perform an action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. This is used to command or request that someone shut down their computer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turn off your computer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used imperative phrase that instructs someone to shut down their computer. As Ludwig shows, its versatility allows it to be used across various contexts, ranging from casual instructions to more formal guidelines. While alternatives like "shut down your computer" or "power down your computer" exist, "turn off your computer" remains a common and accessible choice. Whether for energy saving, troubleshooting, or simply ending a session, it's a straightforward way to communicate the need to power down a computer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Shut down your computer

Replaces "turn off" with the more technical term "shut down".

Power down your computer

Uses "power down" which is another common term for shutting off a device.

Switch off your computer

Uses "switch off", a more informal alternative to "turn off".

Turn your computer off

Rearranges the phrase while maintaining the same meaning.

Close your computer

Implies shutting down the system, but less direct.

Exit your computer

Less common; suggests exiting the current session or programs.

Cease computer operation

More formal and less frequently used.

Terminate your computer session

Focuses on ending the user session rather than the entire system.

Deactivate your computer

Suggests a temporary shutdown rather than a complete power off.

Halt computer processes

More technical, referring to stopping processes rather than powering down.

FAQs

What is the difference between "turn off your computer" and "shut down your computer"?

While both phrases instruct someone to power down their computer, "shut down your computer" is often perceived as more technical or formal. "Turn off your computer" is generally more common in everyday conversation.

When should I use "turn off your computer" versus "restart your computer"?

"Turn off your computer" is used when you want to completely power down the system. "Restart your computer" is used when you want to reboot the system, often to apply updates or resolve software issues.

Are there any safety precautions to consider before I "turn off your computer"?

Before you "turn off your computer", always ensure that you have saved all your work and closed any open applications to prevent data loss. Also, avoid turning off the computer during system updates or installations.

What are some alternative ways to say "turn off your computer" in a professional setting?

In a more professional context, you can use phrases such as "power down your computer" or "initiate system shutdown". These options convey the same meaning with a slightly more formal tone.