what a turn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a turn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise or astonishment at a sudden change in events or circumstances. Example: "I never expected her to win the competition; what a turn it took in the final moments!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

What a turn of events.

The New York Times - Sports

The Reith Lectures R4 Radcliffe and Maconie R2 Well, what a turn up.

The Guardian

"I was always in control and what a turn of foot he's got.

The New York Times - Sports

So sit back, relax and let the driver take on all the idiots who don't know what a turn signal is.

The Washington Post

France and Spain are continuing in fine Big Four fashion this year with two big stinkers, but everyone in Euroland is talking about what a turn for the positive we're seeing this year from Deutschland and (all rise, please) the UK.

The Guardian

Little did I know what a turn the business would take.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

What a turn-off.

The Guardian - Film

What a turn-up for the books.

The Guardian - Business

What a turn-up in a turbulent world.

The Guardian

What a turn-up this is! 30 mins Rodney Trotter has a goal wrongly disallowed for offside.

The Guardian - Sport

Like a chi-chi set designer's dream of what a turn-of-the-century whorehouse parlor might have looked like, it contains too many gewgaws and too many knickknacks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a turn" to express surprise or astonishment at an unexpected change in circumstances. It's suitable for informal conversations or less formal writing where you want to convey a sense of wonder or disbelief.

Common error

Avoid using "what a turn" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral or professional phrases such as 'a significant development' or 'an unexpected outcome' to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a turn" functions as an exclamation, expressing surprise, astonishment, or disbelief regarding an unexpected change or event. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples showing its use in expressing strong reactions to sudden shifts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a turn" is a grammatically sound and commonly used exclamatory phrase that expresses surprise or astonishment at an unexpected event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across different contexts, although its use is more frequent in news and media. While versatile, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal or scientific writing. Instead, consider using alternatives such as "what a surprise" or "what a twist" to maintain a neutral or professional tone depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a surprise

Replaces 'turn' with 'surprise', emphasizing the unexpected nature of the event.

what a twist

Substitutes 'turn' with 'twist', highlighting an unexpected development in a narrative or situation.

what a development

Emphasizes the change or progression of events.

how things have changed

Focuses on the alteration from a previous state.

who would have thought

Expresses disbelief or astonishment at an unforeseen outcome.

that's unexpected

Highlights the unanticipated nature of something.

what an unexpected outcome

Directly points out the surprising result.

what a reversal

Emphasizes a complete change of direction or policy.

what a transformation

Stresses a significant change in form or appearance.

never saw that coming

Expresses complete surprise at an event.

FAQs

How can I use "what a turn" in a sentence?

You can use "what a turn" to express surprise at an unexpected event. For example, "I never thought he would win; what a turn it was when he crossed the finish line!"

What's a more formal way to say "what a turn"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "an unexpected outcome", "a significant development", or "a surprising twist".

Is it appropriate to use "what a turn" in professional writing?

While "what a turn" is grammatically correct, it's generally better suited for informal settings. For professional writing, opt for more formal alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

What feeling does "what a turn" convey?

"What a turn" typically conveys surprise, astonishment, or disbelief at an unexpected change or event. It's a way to express that something happened that you didn't anticipate.