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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
turning were
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "turning were" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It appears to be a fragment that lacks context and clarity, making it unusable in its current form. Example: "I was turning were the lights were dim."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
19 human-written examples
The ride was rough, and stopping and turning were nearly impossible.
Encyclopedias
This easing of monetary policy was quite at odds with the government's medium term financial strategy, and showed that claims that "the lady's not for turning" were empty rhetoric.
News & Media
The box sat on two sets of wheels of different sizes: the rear wheels were about 50 inches (125 cm) in diameter, and the front wheels (made smaller to facilitate turning) were about 44 inches (112 cm).
Encyclopedias
Finally, two sets of field tests, micro-drilling and turning, were conducted in order to understand the feasibility of applying the multilayers on actual machining.
Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) dog-bone-shaped tensile specimens with designed screw thread shaped (STS) structures fabricated by mechanical turning were tested under uniaxial tensile loading.
During freely moving tests (N = 24), taking off and turning were induced by a wireless stimulator through microelectrodes implanted in specific nuclei or brain regions.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
41 human-written examples
Turning is the hardest part.
News & Media
But the real turning was more mysterious.
News & Media
Turning is quite easy.
Wiki
When turning, be careful of the infield.
Wiki
These, in turn, were divided into subgroups.
Encyclopedias
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Ensure subject-verb agreement by using the correct form of "to be" (was/were) based on the subject's number (singular/plural). For example, if the subject is singular, use "turning was"; if plural, rephrase the sentence for clarity.
Common error
Avoid using "were" with a singular noun like "turning". Use "was" instead, or restructure the sentence to have a plural subject if "were" is intended.
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "turning were" does not have a clear grammatical function due to its incorrect structure. It appears to attempt to describe a state or action related to "turning", but the verb conjugation is improper. Ludwig AI indicates that it's not correct.
Frequent in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Science
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "turning were" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. The verb "were" requires a plural subject, which "turning" in its gerund form does not provide. To correct this, consider using "turning was" or restructuring the sentence to include a plural subject such as "they were turning". Ensure subject-verb agreement for clear and effective communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
they were turning
Adds a subject to clarify who or what was performing the turning action.
turning was
Changes the plural "were" to the singular "was" to match a singular subject.
where it was turning
Rephrases to indicate the location of the turning action, adding context.
places where turning occurred
Emphasizes the locations where the action of turning took place.
instances of turning
Focuses on specific occurrences of the turning action.
turning points that existed
Highlights significant moments or turning points in a situation.
the act of turning
Focuses on the general concept or process of turning.
turning motions observed
Highlights the observed movements related to turning.
the location of the turn
Focuses on the specific place where a turn happened.
areas where a turn was necessary
Indicates regions or situations requiring a turning action.
FAQs
How can I correct the phrase "turning were"?
The phrase "turning were" is grammatically incorrect. You can correct it by using "turning was" if referring to a singular instance, or by rephrasing the sentence entirely. For example, you could say "they were turning".
Is "turning were" ever grammatically correct?
No, "turning were" is generally not grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "were" requires a plural subject. If you intend to describe a situation involving turning, consider alternatives such as "the turning was..." or restructuring the sentence to use a plural subject.
What are some alternatives to using the phrase "turning were"?
Instead of "turning were", you might use phrases like "the turning was", "they were turning", or rephrase to specify the subject performing the turning action. The correct choice depends on the context you want to convey.
What's the difference between "turning was" and "turning were"?
"Turning was" is used when "turning" is treated as a singular noun or gerund. "Turning were" is grammatically incorrect because "were" requires a plural subject. The correct usage depends on the intended meaning and grammatical structure of the sentence. A possible valid sentence could be "the pages were turning".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested