In this article, we will focus on phrasal verbs turn. Turn — the correct verb, so the second and third form is formed by adding the ending — ed: turned.
By itself, the verb has following meanings:
- Turning, turning.
- Spinning, spinning; twist to rotate.
- Change direction.
Here are 14 of phrasal verbs with turn, are most often found in textbooks. Note that some of them have multiple values.
- Turn away — not to miss, the denial of entry, drive.
We tried to enter the night club but the security turned us away. — We have tried to enter the nightclub, but the guard would not let us.
The crowds of fans were turned away from the celebrity’s car by the police. — The police drove the crowd of fans from the car celebrities.
- Turn back — turn around and move in the opposite direction.
There was a traffic jam on the road so we decided to turn back. — On the road it was a traffic jam, so we decided to go back.
You have already missed the exit from the highway. Now you need to turn back. — You have missed a turn from the highway. Now you’ll have to turn around and go in the opposite direction.
- Turn down (1) — refuse, to reject the proposal.
She was offered a new job but she turned down the offer. — She was offered a new position, but she declined the offer.
We invited him for lunch but he turned down our invitation — We have invited him to dinner, but he refused to go with them.
- Turn down (2) — screwed, diminish, decrease (gas volume).
Could you turn down the volume? The baby is sleeping. — Could you turn down the volume. The child is sleeping.
Turn down the gas or else the water will boil away. — Screw the gas, otherwise all the water boils away.
- It turns into — to convert, alter, wrapping.
Our neighbours turned their old barn into the garage. — Our neighbors have converted an old barn into his garage.
He managed to turn their words into joke. — He managed to wrap their words in jest.
She turns a pumpkin into a golden carriage, mice into horses, a rat into a coachman, and lizards into footmen. — It turns a pumpkin into a golden coach, mice into horses, a coachman rat and lizards in lackeys.
- Turn off (1) — to turn off the device.
If the red indicator flashes turn off the machine immediately. — If the flashing red light, turn off the appliance immediately.
Turn off the radio. It disturbs me. — Turn off the radio. It bothers me.
- Turn off (2) — to turn off the road.
To reach the old castle we turned off the pathway just after the village. — To get to the old castle, we turned off the path just outside the village.
You need to turn off the road to the left. — You need to turn off the road to the left.
- Turn on — include electrical, gas, water.
Can you turn on the TV set? My favourite TV show begins in a minute. — I could not turn on the TV byty? My favorite TV show begins in a minute.
Why do not you turn the lights on? It’s pitch-dark in the room. — Why do not you turn the light on? The room is pitch black.
- Turn out (1) — to produce.
This plant turns out equipment for shipbuilding industry. — This plant produces equipment for shipbuilding.
Our company turns out toiletries and cosmetics of high quality. — Our company is engaged in the production of household chemicals and cosmetics of high quality.
- Turn out (2) — turn around, it turns out, the case.
Eventually, everything turned out fine for us. — In the end, everything worked out for us.
She turned out a brilliant cook. — She was an excellent cook.
- Turn out (3) — to turn off the (gas, lighting).
It was late and all the lights in the house were turned out. — It was late, and all the lights in the house were turned off.
Do not forget to turn down the gas before you leave. — Do not forget to turn off the gas before you leave home.
- Turn to — turn to someone for help.
I could not cope with the problem so I had to turn to my friend, who was an expert in computer science. — I could not cope with this problem, so I had to turn to my friend, who is well versed in computers.
You can turn to us for help at any time. — You can turn to us for help at any time.
- Turn up (1) — to strengthen the (gas), make loud (sound).
Could you turn up the volume? I can not find the remote control. — Could you make a louder sound? I can not find the remote.
Turn up the gas and stew the vegetables for ten minutes. — Strengthen the gas and cook the vegetables for 10 minutes.
- Turn up (2) — to arrive, to appear in a certain place.
My brother turned up unexpectedly early in the morning. — My brother suddenly came early this morning.
We expected guests in the evening but they turned up while we were having breakfast. — We were expecting guests in the evening, but they came at a time when we were having breakfast.
I hope this article has helped you to enrich your knowledge of phrasal verbs in English. On the other phrasal verbs can be found on our website under «Grammar».
I suggest you to perform a quick test to check how well you remember the meanings of phrasal verbs:
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