turned sideways

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turned sideways" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object or person that has been rotated or positioned at an angle rather than facing directly forward. Example: "The picture frame was turned sideways, making it difficult to see the artwork properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't get turned sideways.

The New York Times - Magazine

The face, turned sideways, seemed fully sentient.

The New Yorker

In the mirror, I turned sideways.

The Guardian - Opinion

body turned sideways, head looking over shoulder toward opponent.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When he wasn't singing, he turned sideways and danced.

The New Yorker

Occasionally, I turned sideways to look at Faulks.

The Guardian - Books

Then he suddenly turned sideways and vanished into the surrounding trees.

Independent

The Verdant turbine was unlike Ocean Renewable's, which looks like an eggbeater turned sideways.

The New York Times

The turn signals are operated by a toggle switch turned sideways.

The New York Times - Travel

The crash occurred when Jason Leffler turned sideways heading into Turn 3, knocking into Christian Fittipaldi.

The New York Times - Sports

The police said the boat had been turned sideways into the waves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turned sideways" to clearly indicate a rotation or shift in orientation. This is especially useful in descriptions where precise positioning matters, such as in technical manuals or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "turned sideways" when the intention is to describe a change in direction along a path rather than a rotation. Use phrases like "veered off course" or "swerved" instead for directional changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turned sideways" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier, often acting as part of a verb phrase or adjectival phrase to specify the orientation of an object or subject. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a grammatically sound and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "turned sideways" is a versatile and common expression used to describe a change in orientation or position. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, with notable presence in Academic and Wiki contexts, this phrase serves to provide spatial clarity. Alternatives like "rotated laterally" or "shifted to the side" can be employed for semantic variation. While "turned sideways" generally denotes rotation, users should avoid it when describing directional changes along a path, opting for terms like "veered" instead. Its broad applicability across diverse sources and contexts underscores its significance in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swiveled sideways

Focuses on a turning motion around a fixed point to the side.

rotated laterally

Emphasizes the rotational aspect of the movement to the side.

oriented laterally

Highlights a change in the orientation towards the side.

shifted to the side

Focuses on the movement and change in position to the side.

deflected laterally

Describes the act of being turned away from a direct line.

moved aslant

Describes a diagonal or oblique movement.

placed askew

Highlights the resulting position being not straight or aligned.

set at an angle

Focuses on the angled positioning of the subject.

slanted position

Emphasizes the tilted or inclined posture.

twisted asymmetrically

Highlights the uneven twisting of an object or body.

FAQs

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

You can use "turned sideways" to describe the orientation of an object or a person. For example, "The boat was "turned sideways" by the force of the waves" or "He "turned sideways" to let someone pass in the hallway".

What are some alternatives to using "turned sideways"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "rotated laterally", "shifted to the side", or "placed askew".

Is it ever incorrect to use "turned sideways"?

While generally correct, using "turned sideways" might be less appropriate if you intend to describe a continuous change in direction. In such cases, phrases like "drifted" or "veered" might be more accurate.

What's the difference between "turned sideways" and "tilted"?

"Turned sideways" generally implies a rotation around a vertical axis, while "tilted" suggests an inclination or slope. For instance, a picture frame can be "tilted", but a car might be "turned sideways" after an accident.