turned to reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turned to reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone physically turning to face another person in order to respond to them. Example: "She turned to reply to his question, her expression thoughtful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As O'Sullivan turned to reply, he slipped and fell, breaking his left ankle.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Then it was her (sorry, Her) turn to reply, in that voice as familiar to us as our own childhood.

The Guardian

Nigel Hasselbaink and Rory Fallon took turns to reply, but Thompson had the final say and St Mirren go three games unbeaten.

BBC

When I turned to thank him, he replied impatiently, "Just go!" Mary Donaldson-Evans.

The New York Times

With a look of total apprehension, turned to my father and replied, 'You're in Utah now, boy.

The Guardian - Travel

I turned to Williams for a reply.

The New York Times - Sports

The film's heavy dose of sexual realpolitik renders all the more startling an incident that occurred during shooting, when Parris, having tea at Chicago's Ritz with friends, was approached by an elderly white man who, referring to her hair, asked: "Is that yours or an add-on?" "Sir, that's rude," she replied and turned to resume her conversation.

The Guardian - Film

When Conor was turned down, he called Khabib a "mad, backwards c***." Khabib turned to the reporters, and casually replied, "he thinks whiskey is going to help him".

Vice

During a question-and-answer session at the fund-raiser, Mr. Biden recalled, a gay man asked, "How do you feel about us?" Mr. Biden recounted his reply: "I turned to the man who owned the house.

The New York Times

"No, that must be a bug," he replied, and then turned to Bill to let him know what had happened.

Forbes

Some members of the committee seemed satisfied with Mr. Jaczko's replies and turned to a variety of other energy questions.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing "turned to reply" in close proximity within a text. Vary sentence structure and use synonyms like "responded" or "answered" to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "turned to reply" when there is no actual physical turning involved. If the person is already facing the speaker, a simple "replied" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turned to reply" functions as a verb phrase indicating a sequence of actions: first, a physical turning motion, followed by a verbal response. Ludwig AI shows this phrase describes a specific type of response where physical orientation is relevant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turned to reply" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of physically turning towards someone before giving a response. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While its frequency is uncommon, it adds a visual element to writing when the physical act of turning is relevant to the interaction. Remember to use it accurately to reflect the described physical action and avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "turned to respond" or simply "replied" depending on the desired emphasis and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned to respond

Uses a direct synonym for "reply", maintaining a formal tone and conveying a clear action of responding.

faced to answer

Emphasizes the physical action of facing someone to provide an answer.

looked back to answer

Highlights a momentary shifting of gaze and physical motion to answer.

shifted to retort

Suggests a quick, sharp, and possibly witty reply, implying a more argumentative context.

swiveled to rejoin

Indicates a turning motion to interject or add something to a conversation

inclined to retort

Suggests an angled inclination with the intent to answer.

redirected attention to respond

Highlights a deliberate change in focus to answer.

reoriented to answer

Indicates a comprehensive change in position to answer.

pivoted to rejoin

Focuses on the act of spinning to interject or add something to a conversation

turned to acknowledge

Focuses on the act of recognizing and responding to a greeting.

FAQs

How can I use "turned to reply" in a sentence?

Use "turned to reply" to describe someone physically turning their body to face someone before responding, such as, "She "turned to reply", her eyes meeting his with a hint of defiance."

What are some alternatives to "turned to reply"?

You can use alternatives like "turned to respond", "faced to answer", or simply "replied" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "turned to reply" formal or informal?

"Turned to reply" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more direct alternatives like "responded" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

When is it appropriate to use "turned to reply" instead of just "replied"?

Use "turned to reply" when you want to emphasize the physical action of turning as part of the response. If the physical action is irrelevant, "replied" is sufficient.