was turned into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was turned into" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that underwent a transformation and changed into something else. For example, "The small stone was turned into a beautiful statue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chatham was turned into a temporary hospital.

Princeton University

It was turned into a video.

The Guardian

Their coerced labor was turned into capital.

The Guardian - Opinion

A monastery was turned into a mosque.

The Guardian

In this case, some innocent ignorance was turned into bliss.

Princeton University

Exhibit space was turned into a living theater.

Stanford University

The grand house was turned into apartments.

The New York Times - Travel

It's like the play was turned into mini graphic novel.

The New York Times

But it eventually was turned into a taxi.

The New York Times

Her journey was turned into a film in 2013.

Independent

The 12 East dying ward was turned into offices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical changes, "was turned into" can effectively convey how spaces or objects were repurposed.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "They turned the building into a museum", use "The building was turned into a museum" when emphasizing the building's transformation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was turned into" functions as a passive construction indicating a transformation. It highlights the result of an action performed on a subject, changing its state or form. Ludwig's examples illustrate this across various contexts, showing how something is changed by an external force or process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was turned into" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to describe a transformation or conversion. According to Ludwig, it functions as a passive construction, highlighting the change that occurred to a subject. It's used across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. To ensure clarity, it’s essential to specify both the initial and final states of the subject. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to choose the appropriate tense and voice to emphasize the intended focus, as also suggested by Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was changed into

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the transformation.

became transformed into

Emphasizes a complete change in form or appearance.

was converted to

Focuses on changing the function or purpose.

was transformed to

Highlights a major shift or alteration.

was made into

Focuses on the action of making something new from something else.

evolved into

Suggests a gradual development or progression.

became altered into

Highlights modification or adjustment.

morphed into

Implies a more dramatic or fantastical transformation.

was fashioned into

Emphasizes the skill or artistry involved in the transformation.

was reconstructed as

Indicates a rebuilding or reassembling into a new form.

FAQs

How can I use "was turned into" in a sentence?

Use "was turned into" to describe a transformation where something changed its form or purpose. For instance, "The old factory "was turned into" luxury apartments".

What's a synonym for "was turned into"?

Alternatives include "was converted to", "was transformed into", or "became transformed into", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was turned into"?

The passive voice is typically preferred when the object undergoing the transformation is the focus. Using the active voice (e.g., "They turned it into...") shifts the focus to the actors, which may not always be desirable.

How does "was turned into" differ from "became"?

"Was turned into" implies an action or process that caused the change, whereas "became" simply states that a change occurred. For example, "The frog was turned into a prince" suggests magic, while "The frog became a prince" is less specific about the cause.