turns up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turns up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something appears or arrives unexpectedly or after a search. Example: "After searching for hours, he finally turns up at the café, looking completely relaxed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He turns up unexpectedly.

The New Yorker

Then Iris turns up.

The New Yorker

What wonders Googling turns up!

The New Yorker

We'll see who turns up".

The New York Times - Sports

It turns up nothing.

The Guardian - Tech

It turns up promptly.

The Guardian - Travel

Trauma turns up everywhere.

The New York Times - Books

Another superfan turns up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's who turns up".

The Guardian - Sport

No one turns up.

The Guardian - Books

He turns up.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turns up" to describe an unexpected or surprising arrival or discovery. It's particularly effective when the subject was not actively sought or anticipated. For example, "An old friend unexpectedly turns up after many years."

Common error

While "turns up" is common in everyday language, it may be too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using alternatives like "appears", "emerges", or "is discovered" to maintain a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "turns up" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of arriving, appearing, or being discovered. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across a broad range of contexts, from news articles to personal anecdotes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "turns up" is a common and versatile expression used to describe the arrival, appearance, or discovery of someone or something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards informality, making alternatives like "appears" or "emerges" more suitable for formal writing. Remember to use "turns up" when emphasizing the unexpected or coincidental nature of the event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shows up

A more informal equivalent, emphasizing the act of attending or being present.

appears

A more formal and general term for becoming visible or noticeable.

arrives

Focuses on the act of reaching a destination or point in time.

crops up

Suggests appearing suddenly or unexpectedly, often causing a problem or issue.

emerges

Suggests a gradual or unexpected appearance from a hidden or unknown place.

comes along

An informal expression for arriving or appearing, often unexpectedly.

surfaces

Implies rising to the top or becoming known after being hidden or forgotten.

materializes

Suggests appearing suddenly or unexpectedly, as if by magic.

is discovered

Passive form, highlighting the finding or unveiling of something previously unknown.

is found

Indicates the act of locating something that was lost or missing.

FAQs

What does "turns up" mean?

"Turns up" generally means to arrive, appear, or be found, often unexpectedly or after a search. It can also imply that something is discovered or revealed.

How can I use "turns up" in a sentence?

You can use "turns up" in sentences like, "He unexpectedly turns up at the party" or "The missing document finally turns up in the archives".

What's a more formal alternative to "turns up"?

More formal alternatives to "turns up" include "appears", "emerges", or "is discovered" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "shows up" and "turns up"?

While both "shows up" and "turns up" indicate arrival or appearance, "shows up" is generally more informal. "Turns up" can also imply discovery, which "shows up" doesn't necessarily convey.