we turned up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we turned up" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that you arrived at a place or event, often unexpectedly or after some effort. Example: "Despite the rain, we turned up at the concert." Alternative expressions include "we showed up" and "we arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We turned up at 7am that day.

The Guardian

We turned up a dirt road.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We turned up 10 minutes late for the match.

Independent

We turned up at the Concorde Club in downtown Hollywood.

The Guardian - Film

We turned up the street toward the Downbeat.

The New Yorker

"I don't think we turned up, to be honest.

The Guardian - Sport

I don't think you're gonna like what we turned up.

The New York Times

"We turned up and thought: this is it.

The Guardian

I remember once we turned up and couldn't find him.

The Guardian

He wrote: "When we turned up at places like Wimbledon we ended up getting completely mashed".

Independent

"Yes, we turned up the volume, but Justin brought his openness and willingness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we turned up" to convey a sense of informality or surprise when describing an arrival, especially when the arrival might be unexpected or somewhat casual. Remember the context; "we arrived" might be more appropriate in formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "we turned up" in highly formal documents or business communications. Opt for more formal alternatives like "we arrived" or "we attended" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "we turned up" functions primarily as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the act of arriving or appearing at a specific location or event. Ludwig confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Sport

13%

Music

5%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we turned up" is a common and versatile phrasal verb primarily used to indicate arrival or appearance, often with a casual or slightly unexpected connotation. While perfectly grammatically sound, as validated by Ludwig, it's important to consider the context and audience. While "we turned up" is suitable for neutral to informal scenarios, more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "we arrived". Ludwig's analysis highlights its frequent presence in news and media, sport and music, reflecting its broad applicability in everyday communication. Be mindful of potential overuse in highly formal contexts to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we arrived

Replaces the phrasal verb with a simple verb indicating the act of reaching a destination.

we showed up

Similar to "we turned up", but often implies a more casual or informal appearance.

we came

A more direct, simple statement of arrival.

we appeared

Suggests a sudden or unexpected arrival or manifestation.

we got there

Focuses on overcoming obstacles to arrive at a place.

we reached

Emphasizes the act of completing a journey to a destination.

we materialized

Implies arriving in a way that seems almost magical or unreal.

we surfaced

Suggests emerging from a hidden or unknown place.

we discovered

Similar to "we turned up" in some example sentences, but focuses on finding something unexpectedly.

we uncovered

Similar to "we turned up" in some example sentences, but focuses on revealing something previously hidden.

FAQs

What does "we turned up" mean?

The phrase "we turned up" generally means that a group of people arrived at a place or event, often unexpectedly or casually. It's a phrasal verb that indicates appearance or arrival.

What can I say instead of "we turned up"?

You can use alternatives like "we arrived", "we showed up", or "we appeared", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "we turned up at" or "we turned up to" a location?

Both "we turned up at" and "we turned up to" are acceptable, although "we turned up at" is slightly more common. For example, "We turned up at the party" or "We turned up to the beach".

When is it inappropriate to use "we turned up"?

It might be inappropriate to use "we turned up" in very formal or academic writing. In those contexts, using "we arrived" would be a better option.