turn over to

USAGE SUMMARY

"turn over to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to transfer or hand over something or someone to another person or entity. Example: The police officer turned the suspect over to the FBI for further investigation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This thing here I might should turn over to Ann. f.

Yale University

He said Twitter must turn over to the federal government the information that it demands.

The New York Times

Others wanted to turn over to the State Department all but technical military intelligence functions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a job they cannot turn over to the experts at the nearest Ritz-Carlton.

Independent

The prosecution team did not turn over to the defense information about the earlier conversation.

The New York Times

Does the Commissioner propose to turn over to the Police Dept.

The New Yorker

Turn over to seal all the edges of the meat, then reduce the heat to low.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is important that you do not turn over to ITV2 right now.

The Guardian - Film

They captured the important Turkish city of Nicaea (which they did turn over to Alexius).

The New Yorker

Your thoughts turn over to the more death-oriented side of life".

The Guardian - Opinion

"We don't know yet what people are willing to turn over to machines".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "turn over to", ensure clarity about what is being transferred and to whom. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject and recipient of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "turn over to" excessively in passive constructions (e.g., "The documents were turned over to the authorities"). Opt for active voice where possible (e.g., "The company turned the documents over to the authorities") for more direct and engaging writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "turn over to" is that of a phrasal verb, acting as a transitive verb that requires an object. It indicates the action of transferring something—be it an object, responsibility, or piece of information—to another party. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis, which identifies it as a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turn over to" functions as a phrasal verb signifying the transfer of something to another party. Ludwig confirms that it's a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it can lean toward formal depending on the specific context, such as academic or professional settings. When writing, be clear about what is being transferred and avoid overuse in passive constructions to maintain a direct and engaging tone. Alternatives like ""hand over to"", ""pass on to"", and ""transfer to"" can provide variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand over to

Replaces "turn" with "hand", emphasizing the act of giving something.

pass on to

Suggests transferring something to another party, often implying continuation.

transfer to

Focuses on the act of moving something from one place or person to another.

give over to

Emphasizes relinquishing control or possession to someone or something.

cede to

Implies formally surrendering power or control to another entity.

relinquish to

Highlights the act of voluntarily giving something up to another.

assign to

Focuses on delegating a task or responsibility to someone.

entrust to

Suggests placing something in someone's care with confidence.

consign to

Implies formally handing over something, often for a specific purpose.

devolve to

Indicates the transfer of power or responsibility to a lower level.

FAQs

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

You can use "turn over to" to indicate the transfer of responsibility, items, or information. For instance, "The investigation was "turned over to" the local authorities" shows a transfer of responsibility.

What can I say instead of "turn over to"?

Alternatives include "hand over to", "pass on to", or "transfer to" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "turn over to" or "turn over too"?

"Turn over to" is the correct phrasing when indicating a transfer. "Turn over too" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What is the difference between "turn over to" and "give to"?

"Turn over to" often implies a formal or obligatory transfer, particularly of responsibilities or items, whereas "give to" is a more general term for providing something to someone.