turned up

USAGE SUMMARY

"turned up" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an phrasal verb which usually means to appear or arrive unexpectedly. For example, "The party seemed to be a bust until your unexpected guest turned up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neighbours turned up missing.

The Guardian

Scholarly discoveries turned up.

The New York Times - Arts

What was turned up?

The New York Times

None had turned up.

The New Yorker

The substitute turned up.

The New Yorker

The oven was turned up.

The New Yorker

About 100 fans turned up.

The Guardian - Tech

Because you turned up? "Yeah.

The Guardian

He turned up the radio.

The New Yorker

The impersonator turned up again.

The New Yorker

Both are turned up high.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "turned up" to describe an event or gathering, ensure the context clearly indicates whether the number of attendees met, exceeded, or fell short of expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "turned up" when the active voice is more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The volume was turned up by him", use "He turned up the volume."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "turned up" primarily functions as an intransitive verb indicating appearance or arrival. It can also act as a transitive verb when referring to increasing something, such as volume or intensity. Ludwig confirms the versatility of this phrasal verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turned up" is a versatile phrasal verb with meanings ranging from appearing unexpectedly to increasing volume or intensity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and identifies its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. To use "turned up" effectively, consider the intended meaning and the register of your writing. Avoid overusing the passive voice and be mindful of clearer alternatives like "showed up", was discovered, or "increased the volume", depending on the context. With these guidelines, you can confidently incorporate "turned up" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

showed up

A more informal synonym for arriving or appearing.

appeared

A direct synonym focusing on the act of becoming visible.

arrived unexpectedly

Emphasizes the surprise element of someone or something appearing.

surfaced

Implies something hidden or lost has become visible or known.

emerged

Suggests a gradual appearance or becoming known.

materialized

Suggests something appearing as if from nowhere, often unexpectedly.

came to light

Focuses on the revelation of information or a fact.

was discovered

Highlights the act of finding something previously unknown.

presented itself

Suggests an opportunity or situation becoming available.

increased

Specifically used when "turned up" refers to increasing volume or intensity.

FAQs

How to use "turned up" in a sentence?

The phrasal verb "turned up" has several meanings. It can mean to arrive or appear unexpectedly, as in "He "showed up" late for the meeting". It can also mean to increase the volume or intensity of something, such as "She "increased the volume" of the music".

What can I say instead of "turned up" when referring to something being found?

If you mean that something was discovered, you can use alternatives like "was found", "was located", or "was discovered" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "turned up missing"?

While the snippets show the phrase "turned up missing", it's less common and might sound awkward to some. A clearer phrasing might be "went missing" or "disappeared".

What's the difference between "turned up" and "showed up"?

"Turned up" and ""showed up"" are often interchangeable when referring to someone arriving. However, "turned up" can also mean to increase something, like volume, which "showed up" cannot.