turned off

USAGE SUMMARY

"turned off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that has been switched off, deactivated, or is no longer functioning. For example: "The lights in the room suddenly turned off, leaving us in darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Others are turned off.

The New York Times

Electricity is turned off.

The New York Times - Health

He turned off the light.

The New Yorker

Klout turned off that feature.

The New York Times - Tech

Street lights were turned off.

The New York Times

His phone was turned off.

The New Yorker

Would people have turned off?

Independent

They turned off the oxygen.

The New York Times - Magazine

She turned off the television.

The New Yorker

I turned off the music.

The New York Times

How was it turned off?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turned off" when referring to the action of disabling a device, system, or feature. For emotional contexts, consider synonyms like "repulsed" or "alienated" to convey the intended nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "turned off" in highly formal or technical writing when referring to a system failure; instead, opt for more precise terms like "deactivated", "became inoperative", or "shut down" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turned off" primarily functions as a verb phrase, acting as the simple past tense or past participle of the verb "turn off". As demonstrated by Ludwig, it indicates the action of deactivating something or expressing a feeling of aversion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "turned off" is a versatile verb phrase commonly used to indicate deactivation or to express aversion. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. While suitable for most contexts, more formal or technical situations might benefit from synonyms like "deactivated" or "became inoperative". Key usage contexts include News & Media and Science, with a neutral register suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

switched off

Simple synonym, focusing on the action of using a switch to deactivate something.

shut down

Implies a more complete or systematic deactivation, often used for systems or machines.

deactivated

A more formal term for turning something off, often used in technical contexts.

powered down

Specifically refers to reducing or cutting off the power supply.

became inoperative

A more formal and technical way of saying something stopped working.

lost interest

Shifts the meaning to losing interest or enthusiasm, rather than physical deactivation.

repulsed

Indicates a strong feeling of aversion or disgust.

alienated

Suggests a feeling of being estranged or distanced, often used in social contexts.

disenchanted

Highlights a loss of illusion or positive feelings.

left cold

Means failing to excite or interest someone.

FAQs

How can I use "turned off" in a sentence?

You can use "turned off" to describe the action of stopping a device from functioning, such as "He "turned off" the lights before leaving". It can also express a feeling of aversion, such as "I was "turned off" by his rude behavior".

What are some alternatives to saying "turned off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "switched off", "deactivated", "powered down" for devices, or "repulsed", "alienated" for emotional reactions.

When is it appropriate to use "turned off" in writing?

"Turned off" is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from describing everyday actions to expressing feelings of dislike. However, in formal or technical writing, consider more precise terms like "deactivated" or "became inoperative" when referring to equipment failure.

Is "turned off" a formal or informal expression?

"Turned off" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. For very formal or technical writing, more precise alternatives might be preferred.