What is turn? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "turn" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings! Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. Movement & Direction:

• To rotate: This is probably the most common meaning.
  • “Turn left at the corner.” (Rotate your steering wheel)
  • “Turn the key in the lock.” (Rotate the key)
  • “Turn over” (Flip something over)
• To change direction:
  • “Turn around.” (Change direction and face the opposite way)
  • “Turn back.” (Return to a previous place)
• To approach/face:
  • “Turn to face the music.” (Turn your body to face something)
  • “Turn to a new chapter.” (Begin a new phase)

2. Time & Processes:

• To happen or occur: Often used with "time."
  • “The meeting turns in two hours.” (The meeting will happen in two hours.)
  • “It turns out that…” (It has been discovered that…)
  • “The rain turned to snow.” (The rain changed into snow.)
• To become:
  • “The milk turned sour.” (The milk spoiled.)
  • “He turned 30 last year.” (He reached the age of 30.)
• To shift or change state:
  • “The key turns easily.” (The key rotates smoothly)

3. Objects & Actions (Physical):

• To rotate (something like a handle or knob):
  • “Turn the volume up.”
  • “Turn the pages of the book.”
• To flip or roll:
  • “Turn the pizza.” (Flip it over for cooking.)
  • “Turn a coin.” (Flip a coin)
• To rotate to face:
  • “Turn your head.”
• To move something so a specific side faces up:
  • "Turn the pot over to drain the water."

4. Social & Emotional (Figurative):

• To become or feel a particular emotion:
  • “I turned my cheek to him.” (Refused to acknowledge him.)
  • “He turned bitter with age.” (He became resentful or unhappy.)
• To become a particular person or type of person: Often used with "into"
  • “He turned into a brilliant scientist.”
  • “She turned into a grumpy old man.”
• To agree to something:
  • “Will you turn (or “will you turn” ) me over?” (Will you help me/support me – often used in a desperate situation)

5. Food & Drink:

• To cook (often in an oven):
  • “Turn the potatoes.” (Flip the potatoes so they cook evenly.)
• To mix or combine ingredients:
  • “Turn the ingredients together.”

6. Phrasal Verbs (Very Common Combinations):

• Turn up: (Appear, arrive unexpectedly) "He turned up late."
• Turn down: (Reject, lower volume/temperature) "She turned down the offer." / “Turn down the heat.”
• Turn off: (Stop, switch off) "Turn off the lights."
• Turn on: (Start, activate) "Turn on the computer."
• Turn out: (Result, surprise) "It turned out to be a success." / "She turned out to be a talented artist."
• Turn around: (Re-orient, return) “Turn around and face me.”

7. Other Uses:

• Turn over a new leaf: To start a new and better life.
• Turn a blind eye: To ignore something.
• Turn a phrase: To use a particular expression.

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Resources for More Examples & Practice:

• Cambridge Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/turn
• Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn
• Grammarly: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/turn-phrasal-verbs/ (Specifically on phrasal verbs)

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