Phrasal verb turn

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:

1. Turning, turning.
2. Spinning, spinning; twist to rotate.
3. Change direction.

Here are 14 of phrasal verbs with turn, are most often found in textbooks. Note that some of them have multiple values.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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».

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