What is turning? Pronunciation and usage in English

turning means . Learn how to pronounce and use turning through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of turning

turningnoun

/ˈtəːnɪŋ/
Definition & pronunciation of turning

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "turning." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "turn" – This part is fairly straightforward. It sounds like "turn" as in "turn a key." The "er" sound is a short "u" sound.
  • "ing" – This is where it gets a little nuanced. The "ing" at the end of "turning" is a flapped "r."

2. The Flapped "R" (The Most Important Part!)

  • What is a flap? In American English (and increasingly in British English), the "r" sound in "turning" is not a strong, rolled "r" like you might hear in Spanish or Italian. Instead, it's a quick, almost silent flap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth. It’s very similar to the "tt" in “butter” or “letter” in American accents.

  • How to do it:

    1. Start with a regular "r" sound: Imagine saying "r" like in "red."
    2. Quickly tap your tongue against the roof of your mouth: Do this very quickly—almost like you're just brushing your tongue lightly. It should be a light, subtle sound, not a pronounced roll.
    3. Combine with the "turn" sound: Say “turn” and then immediately add that quick, light "r" flap.

3. Putting it Together:

The whole word "turning" is generally pronounced like:

“turn-ing” (with that quick, light "r" flap in the "ing")

Tips and Resources:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:

  • Don't overemphasize the "r": It's often too strong. Gentle is key.

  • Practice: Record yourself saying "turning" and compare it to native pronunciations. It takes time to get the feel of the flap!

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?
  • Focus on how the pronunciation differs between British and American English?

Usage and examples with the word turning in English

Let's break down how to use the word "turning" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and functions. Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. As a Verb (Action – Turning Something Over)

  • Meaning: To rotate something, change direction, or shift something.
  • Examples:
    • "He was turning the steering wheel to make a right turn." (Changing direction)
    • "She’s turning the pages of her book." (Rotating)
    • "The machine is turning out hundreds of products every hour." (Rotating continuously)
    • "The leaves are turning brown in the autumn." (Changing color)
    • "He was turning his attention to the problem." (Shifting focus)

2. As a Verb (Action – Becoming)

  • Meaning: To begin to experience something, to change into something. Often used with "into."
  • Examples:
    • "The weather is turning cold." (Changing to colder)
    • "She was turning pale with fear." (Becoming pale)
    • "He was turning angry." (Becoming angry)
    • “The vegetables are turning mushy.” (Becoming mushy)

3. As an Adjective (Describing Something)

  • Meaning: Describing something that is rotating or changing direction.
  • Examples:
    • "A turning table" (A table that rotates)
    • "A turning point" (A crucial moment of change) – This is a common idiom.
    • "The turning of the key started the engine." (The key's rotation)
    • "He's a skilled turning artist (wood carving)"

4. As a Noun (A Part of Something)

  • Meaning: A part of something that rotates.
  • Examples:
    • “The turning of the gears was noisy.”
    • "The turning of the wheel allowed him to move forward."
    • "The turning of the screw tightened the bolt."

5. Figurative Uses (Idiomatic Expressions)

  • “Turning point”: As mentioned above – a crucial moment of change. Example: "Winning that contract was a turning point for the company."
  • “Turn over a new leaf”: To start a new life, to change habits for the better. Example: "After years of bad habits, he decided to turn over a new leaf."
  • “Turning up”: To arrive unexpectedly. Example: “He turned up late to the meeting.”
  • “Turning down”: To refuse or decline. Example: “She turned down the job offer.”

Tips for Using “Turning” Correctly:

  • Consider the context: The meaning of “turning” changes depending on how it's used (verb, adjective, noun).
  • Pay attention to the object: What is turning? (e.g., "turning the wheel," "turning cold")
  • Use “into” with verbs of becoming: “turning into” is a common pattern.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use "turning"? (e.g., Are you writing a story, answering a question, or just trying to understand the word better?)

Synonyms for the word turning

Practice with vocabulary turning

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The discovery of a new energy source marked a significant _______ point for global economics.
  2. The project manager requested a comprehensive _______ of the project's progress to date.
  3. The old warehouse is undergoing a complete transformation, _______ into a state-of-the-art tech hub.
  4. Despite initial skepticism, the team quickly adapted _______ the new software interface.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The negotiation reached a critical juncture, with both parties aware of the potential for a significant _______ point. A) changing B) pivotal C) turning D) shifting

  2. The project was initially failing, but the new management team succeeded in _______ its fortunes. A) renovating B) turning around C) transforming D) adjusting

  3. A key objective of our AI initiative is _______ vast amounts of unstructured data into valuable, actionable intelligence. A) converting B) shifting C) turning D) evolving

  4. The sudden market fluctuation caused a significant _______ in investor confidence. A) decline B) dip C) drop D) recession

  5. It's essential to _______ complex instructions into simple, understandable steps for the end-users. A) translate B) interpret C) reformulate D) transcribe

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "turning": Converting raw research data into clear, concise reports is a crucial step in the project lifecycle.

  2. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "turning": The new policy implementation led to a significant shift in departmental dynamics.

  3. Rewrite the sentence, without using any form of "turning": The project faced unexpected difficulties, which caused it to go off its original schedule.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. turning
  2. review
  3. turning
  4. to

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) turning
  2. B) turning around, C) transforming
  3. A) converting, C) turning
  4. A) decline, B) dip, C) drop
  5. A) translate, B) interpret, C) reformulate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Turning raw research data into clear, concise reports is a crucial step in the project lifecycle.
  2. The new policy implementation led to a significant turn in departmental dynamics.
  3. The project faced unexpected difficulties, which caused it to deviate from its original schedule.

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