turn to something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn to something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a shift in focus, attention, or action towards a particular subject or option. Example: "When faced with challenges, many people turn to meditation for relief and clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Shall we turn to something more enlightening?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Some stick with the same specialism all their lives; others get bored and turn to something else.

The Economist

The war had been my life, and I had no regrets, but it was time to turn to something else.

The New York Times - Magazine

In a mature democracy like Australia's there are more than enough opportunities for the national conversation to turn to something other than the state of the polls.

The Guardian

She explained that it was interesting and exciting to turn to something new after years of work in one particular sphere.

The Guardian

Mr. Reichman said 10 to 15percentt of employers might turn to "something like defined contributions" next year, rather than swallow further rate increases.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"You can't do a U-turn to something you had never done before," he said.

The Guardian

And then the conversation turned to something less unremarkable; something most people will never talk about with their friends.

The Guardian - Opinion

And so I turned to alcohol, and alcohol turned to something else".

The New York Times - Sports

Whatever indifference I felt toward the stadium turned to something like active dislike in 1977.

The New York Times

They were interested in hearing that and the conversation turned to something else".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turn to something" to clearly indicate a change in strategy, focus, or reliance, especially when previous methods have proven ineffective or unsuitable. For example, "After the initial marketing campaign failed, the company decided to "turn to something" more targeted."

Common error

Avoid using "turn to something" when you mean simply to depend on or trust something. "Turn to something" implies a change or shift, not just continuous reliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn to something" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a change in focus, strategy, or reliance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

9%

Academia

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "turn to something" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a change in focus, strategy, or reliance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, with a neutral register, making it suitable for many situations. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a shift rather than a continuous dependence. Consider alternatives like "resort to something" or "look to something" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resort to something

Indicates a need to adopt something as a last option due to a lack of alternatives.

look to something

Implies seeking help, guidance, or solutions from a particular source or thing.

shift to something

Suggests a change of direction, focus, or strategy towards a different thing.

change to something

Emphasizes a complete alteration from one thing to another.

switch to something

Highlights a quick and easy exchange between two options.

adopt something

Suggests embrace and start using something

embrace something

Implies accepting something willingly.

gravitate towards something

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination towards something.

incline towards something

Implies a preference or leaning in a particular direction.

be drawn to something

Indicates attraction or interest towards something.

FAQs

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

Use "turn to something" to indicate a shift in focus, strategy, or reliance. For example, "If plan A doesn't work, we'll have to "turn to something" else."

What's a good alternative to "turn to something"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "resort to something", "look to something", or "switch to something".

When is it appropriate to use "turn to something"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize a change in approach or a decision to use a different resource or method. For example, "When the negotiations stalled, they decided to "turn to something" more aggressive."

Is there a difference between "turn to something" and "turn to someone"?

Yes, "turn to something" refers to using a thing, method, or strategy, while "turn to someone" means seeking help or support from a person.