turnabout

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'turnabout' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a noun meaning a change in direction or attitude. Example: The company's financial struggles were reversed thanks to a surprising turnabout in the market.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would be a remarkable turnabout.

The Economist

Not surprisingly, this remarkable, indeed unprecedented turnabout has led to a kind of "end of history" mentality in both the three Baltic countries and among their friends abroad.

The Economist

Of course, the states' fiscal problems were only one reason for this turnabout.

The Economist

This is a remarkable turnabout: in every previous year since the 1970s at least one suffered a recession, if not a severe financial crisis.But it is dangerous to treat emerging economies as homogenous.

The Economist

That is partly because the mainstream French left made its big turnabout back in 1983, when a Socialist president, François Mitterrand, junked most of the left-wing nostrums with which he had come to power a couple of years earlier.

The Economist

Mr Miliband says he does not even read them much.This is an amazing turnabout, which might be regarded as positive.

The Economist

Second-quarter growth "has a good chance of being positive", according to Ian Morris and Ryan Wang, economists at HSBC, though "the risks…are still huge".What has brought this turnabout?

The Economist

Dominique Voynet, the environment minister and Green leader, recently announced that France too is "in the process of doing a turnabout on nuclear power".

The Economist

That turnabout reawakened in China the fear that America was now applying the sort of "containment" that had worked so well against the Soviet Union.

The Economist

And that was not all that would have horrified Harris who, as a 19th-century governor of Bombay (now Mumbai), was widely credited with introducing cricket to India.Nothing illustrates the turnabout in British-Indian relations more starkly than India's financial and political takeover of what was once an English summer game.

The Economist

American guns can be heard at night in Baghdad, shelling suspected rebel hideouts in an operation known as Iron Hammer.The latest turnabout is a setback for Mr Bremer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "turnabout", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reversed or changed to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "a turnabout in policy" rather than simply "a turnabout".

Common error

Avoid using "turnabout" when a simple change or adjustment is meant. "Turnabout" implies a complete or significant reversal, not just a minor alteration.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "turnabout" is as a noun, denoting a change or reversal. It is often used to describe a significant shift in direction, policy, or attitude, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turnabout" is a noun that refers to a significant change or reversal. It's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and acceptability. When using "turnabout", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is being reversed to avoid ambiguity. While versatile, "turnabout" is best reserved for describing complete or nearly complete reversals rather than minor adjustments. Alternatives such as "reversal", "shift", or "transformation" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete turnaround

Stresses the thoroughness and extent of the change.

reversal of fortune

Focuses specifically on changes in one's luck or circumstances.

sudden shift

Underscores the abrupt and unexpected nature of the change.

abrupt change

Emphasizes suddenness and unexpectedness of change

change of heart

Emphasizes a shift in sentiment, attitude, or opinion.

remarkable transformation

Highlights the degree of change as impressive and significant

radical alteration

Emphasizes the drastic nature of the change

policy reversal

Highlights a specific change in rules or regulations.

political about-face

Specifically refers to a change in political stance

major modification

Highlights significant and impactful changes

FAQs

How can I use "turnabout" in a sentence?

"Turnabout" is generally used to describe a significant change or reversal. For example, "The company experienced a dramatic "complete turnaround" after implementing new strategies."

What's a simple way to define "turnabout"?

"Turnabout" refers to a reversal, a complete change of direction, or a shift in policy or attitude. It implies a significant alteration from a previous state.

What words can I use instead of "turnabout"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reversal", "shift", "transformation", or "about face".

Is "turnabout" formal or informal language?

"Turnabout" is considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's suitable for news articles, academic papers, and general conversation.