turns

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "turns" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to indicate a change in direction, appearance, environment, or situation. Example sentence: The mood in the office quickly turns from jubilant to somber when the boss walks in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Music

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sembène takes this brilliant scenario (based on a true story) and turns it into a chess game of multiple characters, an engrossing drama about African religion and, underneath that, a film about African pride.

The Guardian - Film

There they abandoned the Steyr and continued on foot, sleeping in the forest and taking turns to keep watch.

The Guardian

Plenty of those MPs she reports as patting her on the back will be happy for her to act as an expendable battering ram – and see what turns up.

The Guardian

He turns to the audience: "Kevin's a journalist and what journalists usually do is stand at the back and write about us.

The Guardian - Music

"Actually it turns out I don't really want to collaborate with you.

The Guardian - Tech

In practice, Italy turns a blind eye to them heading north.

The Guardian

Sophia Yang offered one of her office – which turns out to be Google, where she is working on the Glass project.

The Guardian - Tech

Sometime in the middle of the night, the television turns back on, the lights flash open and the taps start running again.

The Guardian - Travel

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.20pm BST21:20 18 min: Wow! Making a run from midfield, Fauzi Ghoulam turns on the afterburners and leaves Mesut Ozil in his dust as he gallops up the inside-left and latches on to a pass from Soudani.

The Guardian - Sport

So it turns out Paul Whittaker is not to blame for the Daily Telegraph's much-maligned late-afternoon edition on the day of the siege.

The Guardian

– William's creator, Richmal Compton, turns out to be a girl.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "turns" to describe a change in condition, ensure that the subject clearly indicates what is undergoing the transformation. For instance, "The weather turns cold" is clearer than "It turns cold."

Common error

Avoid using "turns" with overly abstract subjects where the change isn't clearly defined. For example, instead of saying "The idea turns complex", specify what aspect of the idea is changing or how it becomes complex.

Linguistic Context

The word "turns" functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it signifies a change in direction, state, or condition. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage across diverse contexts. As a noun, it refers to instances of turning or rotations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Tech

15%

Music

10%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Travel

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "turns" is a highly versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, widely used to denote changes in direction, state, or condition. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, tech, and music contexts, and is grammatically correct according to Ludwig AI. When using "turns", clarity is key; specify the subject undergoing transformation to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "shifts" or "rotates" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. This analysis demonstrates the broad applicability and semantic richness of "turns" in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shifts

Emphasizes a change in position, direction, or focus.

rotations

Refers specifically to circular movements around an axis.

revolutions

Focuses on complete circular movements instead of partial changes in direction.

swivels

Highlights a turning motion, often on a fixed point.

bends

Suggests a non-linear diversion from a straight path.

curves

Describes a gradual bend in a path or line rather than an abrupt change.

veerings

Implies a sudden change in direction, often unexpected.

deviations

Indicates a departure from a standard or expected course.

alterations

Focuses on the act of making something different or modified.

conversions

Highlights the change from one form or state to another.

FAQs

How can I use "turns" in a sentence?

You can use "turns" to indicate a change in direction, condition, or state. For example, "The road "turns" sharply to the left", or "The milk "turns" sour quickly in the heat".

What are some alternatives to using "turns"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "shifts", "rotates", or "becomes" instead of "turns".

Is there a difference between "turns into" and "becomes"?

"Turns into" often suggests a transformation or a more dramatic change, while "becomes" is a more general term for something changing to a different state.

When is it appropriate to use "turns" in formal writing?

The word "turns" is suitable for formal writing when describing a transition or alteration, such as "The discussion "turns" to economic policy" or "The research "turns" out to be groundbreaking".