turn the keyboard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn the keyboard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to rotate or reposition a keyboard, often for better accessibility or comfort. Example: "If you're having trouble typing, you might want to turn the keyboard to a more comfortable angle."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The combo lets anyone turn the keyboard into nearly any instrument imaginable — drums, guitars, synths, horns, and, of course, pianos.

TechCrunch

Turn the keyboard on.

WikiHow

Turn the keyboard upside down and shake.

WikiHow

Turn the keyboard upside down and remove all the screws.

WikiHow

Turn the keyboard upside down and tap on it a few times.

WikiHow

Turn the keyboard upside down and remove the screws from the back.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Pushing down on the handle at the right turns the keyboard into a mouse; once the cursor is in the correct position, the other handle can be moved in one of three directions to mimic mouse buttons.

The New York Times - Tech

Apple's trying its hardest to turn the iPad into a productivity machine, and our final iPad-only feature turns the keyboard into a trackpad, useful for selecting text and moving the text cursor around the screen with a greater level of accuracy.

The Guardian - Tech

So it's basically turning the keyboard into more of a platform, in and of itself.

TechCrunch

It turns the keyboard into a trackpad — a useful hidden gem.

TechCrunch

The keyboard is flatter than Michelle Tanner and any mess you might make can easily be remedied by turning the keyboard upside-down.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to clean a keyboard, specify the direction of the turn, e.g., "turn the keyboard upside down".

Common error

Avoid using "turn the keyboard" when you mean to "switch on the keyboard" or "connect the keyboard". The phrase primarily implies a physical rotation or repositioning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn the keyboard" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "turn" acts as a transitive verb indicating the action of rotating or repositioning the object, in this case, the keyboard. Ludwig provides examples of this usage, particularly in the context of cleaning or adjusting the keyboard.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

News & Media

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turn the keyboard" is a grammatically correct and commonly used instruction that primarily refers to physically rotating or repositioning a keyboard. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is widely understood, with examples ranging from cleaning instructions to descriptions of keyboard transformations. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across various contexts, including WikiHow guides and tech news articles. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and relates to physical manipulation rather than powering on the device. Consider alternatives like "rotate the keyboard" or "reposition the keyboard" for clarity, depending on the specific action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rotate the keyboard

Replaces "turn" with "rotate", implying a circular movement to change the keyboard's position.

flip the keyboard

Suggests a quick, reversing motion of the keyboard.

invert the keyboard

Implies turning the keyboard upside down.

reposition the keyboard

Offers a more general term for adjusting the keyboard's placement.

adjust the keyboard

A broader term encompassing various modifications to the keyboard's setup.

switch on the keyboard

Means to activate or power the keyboard.

power on the keyboard

Emphasizes the action of supplying power to the keyboard.

activate the keyboard

Highlights the act of making the keyboard ready for use.

enable the keyboard

Focuses on allowing the keyboard to function.

use the keyboard

Refers to the general action of utilizing the keyboard.

FAQs

What does "turn the keyboard" mean?

The phrase "turn the keyboard" typically means to physically rotate or reposition the keyboard, often for cleaning or to achieve a more comfortable angle.

How can I use "turn the keyboard" in a sentence?

You can use the phrase in sentences like, "To remove crumbs, "turn the keyboard upside down" and shake it gently".

What's the difference between "turn on the keyboard" and "turn the keyboard"?

"Turn on the keyboard" means to power it on, while "turn the keyboard" refers to physically rotating or repositioning it.

What can I say instead of "turn the keyboard" when I mean to rotate it?

You can use alternatives such as "rotate the keyboard", "flip the keyboard", or "reposition the keyboard" depending on the specific action.