turn to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to turning towards something, or making something one's source of help or advice. For example, "The family turned to their church members for help during difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Turn to the nana.

The Guardian - Opinion

I turn to others.

The New Yorker

(My turn to convulse).

The New York Times

"I turn to it".

The New Yorker

Turn to state television.

Independent

But why turn to violence?

The New York Times

Anyone could turn to her.

The New Yorker

Please turn to your right.

The New Yorker

I turn to my wife.

The New Yorker

Who can we turn to?

The Economist

"Some turn to the right.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "turn to" to indicate seeking help, be specific about who or what is being turned to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "turn to" when a more direct verb like "ask" or "consult" would be clearer and more appropriate for the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn to" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It indicates a shift in direction, a change in focus, or a reliance on someone or something for help or guidance, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

25%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "turn to" is a versatile verb phrase widely used to indicate seeking assistance, changing focus, or transformation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. To use "turn to" effectively, remember to clarify what or whom you are turning to and consider more direct verbs when appropriate. Remember it can be replaced with alternatives such as "resort to", "consult with", or "look to". Whether you're directing attention or expressing reliance, "turn to" remains a valuable asset in your linguistic toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look to

Similar to "turn to", but can also imply expectation.

resort to

Implies a less desirable alternative chosen out of necessity.

refer to

Indicates directing attention or seeking information from a source.

consult with

Suggests seeking advice or guidance from someone.

become

Implies a transformation or change into a different state.

shift focus to

Highlights a change in attention or emphasis.

address

To directly deal with or discuss something.

devolve into

Suggests a negative transformation or decline.

have recourse to

Indicates using something as a final option.

gravitate towards

Implies a natural movement or attraction to something.

FAQs

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

You can use "turn to" to mean seeking help from someone (e.g., "I "turn to" my friends for advice") or to indicate a change of focus (e.g., "Let's "turn to" the next topic").

What can I say instead of "turn to"?

You can use alternatives like "resort to", "consult with", or "look to" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "turn to" instead of "ask"?

"Turn to" suggests a more significant reliance or dependence, while "ask" is a simple request for information. Use ""turn to"" when implying that someone or something is a primary source of help or guidance.

What is the difference between "turn to" and "become"?

"Turn to" implies a conscious choice to seek something or someone, whereas "become" simply indicates a change of state. For example, "The milk "turned to" cheese" implies the milk transformed, while "I "turn to" my mentor" implies seeking guidance.