turn over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to the act of changing the side or reverse of something or when referring to the action of transferring or handing something to someone else. For example: "He asked the dealer to turn over the card so he could see it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Turn over," he said.

The New Yorker

3. Operating Systems Turn Over, Too.

The New York Times

"Sir?" "Yup?" "Please turn over, sir".

The New Yorker

But would the engine turn over?

Forbes

Google refused to turn over the information.

SEP

"Turn over," Kip said.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Accept Staff Turn-Over.

Huffington Post

Value of turn-over.

FAO

High turn-over of facilitators.

Unicef

Faster turn-over of specialists.

BMC Medical Ethics

How to turn-over your donations!

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to physically rotate an object, use "turn over" for clarity and directness. For example, "Turn over the pancake when bubbles form."

Common error

While "turn over" is versatile, in highly formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "transfer", "relinquish", or "invert" to convey specific meanings and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn over" functions primarily as a verb phrase, acting as a directive or instruction to rotate something physically, as seen in Ludwig's examples such as "Turn over the paper" or to transfer something such as "turn over documents".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Wiki

29%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turn over" is a versatile phrase with several meanings, most commonly indicating a physical rotation or the transfer of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in a wide range of contexts. While its usage is frequent across various domains like news, wikis, and scientific literature, opting for more formal alternatives may be beneficial in specific academic or business settings. Remember to use "turn over" when you need to give a directive, describe an action, or indicate a change in state or responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flip over

Focuses specifically on the physical action of rotating something quickly.

hand over

Emphasizes the act of transferring possession or control.

give up

Implies surrendering or relinquishing something.

relinquish control

Highlights the act of giving up authority or command.

invert

Refers to reversing the position or order of something.

reverse

Suggests changing to the opposite direction or course.

rotate

Indicates a circular movement around an axis.

ponder

Emphasizes the mental process of considering something carefully.

think about

Implies a general consideration of a topic.

deliberate

Highlights a careful and thorough consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "turn over" to mean physically rotating something, like "Turn over the paper to see the other side", or to mean handing something to someone, as in "They decided to "hand over" the suspect to the police".

What are some synonyms for "turn over"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "flip over" for physical rotation or ""hand over"" for transferring responsibility.

Is "turn over" formal or informal?

"Turn over" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and neutral contexts. In some formal contexts, using alternatives like "transfer" or "relinquish" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "turn over" and "think about"?

"Turn over" primarily refers to a physical action or a transfer of something. In contrast, "think about" refers to a mental process of considering something. For example, "Turn over the soil" (physical action) vs. "Think about the consequences" (mental consideration).