turned
/tɜːn/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɚnd] /tɝːn/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɚnd] /ˈtərn How to pronounce turn (audio)/ (ame, mw)
turned — verb
- turnedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- turneds3rd person singular
- turneding-ing form
- turnededpast simple
1. to spin something around a centre point, or to spin around a centre point — for
to spin something around a centre point, or to spin around a centre point — for example, turning a door handle to open a door, or a wheel going round as a car moves.
Iker turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open.
transitive: turn + object + location
The wooden wheel on the old cart turned slowly under the weight of the hay.
intransitive: object/thing + turns + adverb
Bao turned the handle of the old water tap, but nothing came out.
A small fan on the desk turned all night, keeping the room cool.
- hold still
to keep something from moving around a centre
文法句型
turn + object (rotate mechanism)
object + turn + adverb (rotation)
用法筆記
Frequently takes an adverb of manner or speed (slowly, quickly, gently) in both transitive and intransitive uses.
常見錯誤
2. to move your body so that you face a different direction — for instance, rotatin
to move your body so that you face a different direction — for instance, rotating your shoulders and hips to look behind you, or turning in your seat to talk to someone.
Talia turned when she heard her name called from across the hall.
turn + when/as clause — triggered by sound
The yoga instructor asked the class to turn to the left and stretch.
turn + direction phrase: 'to the left/right'
Kabir turned in his chair to reach the book on the shelf behind him.
The dancers turned together in time to the music.
- spin around
implies a faster, more sudden body rotation
- swivel
formal; used for turning in a chair or on a pivot
文法句型
turn + adverb (direction)
turn + to + verb (infinitive of purpose)
用法筆記
Common with direction words: turn around (face the opposite way), turn away (face in another direction, often to avoid looking).
常見錯誤
3. to alter the course or route that someone or something follows — for instance, s
to alter the course or route that someone or something follows — for instance, steering a bicycle at a junction, a car pulling into a side street, or a person moving their gaze from one spot to another.
Felix turned the car into a narrow lane behind the market.
transitive: turn + vehicle + into [place]
The river turns sharply just before the old stone bridge.
intransitive: natural feature + turns + adverb
Hoa turned her face towards the sun and closed her eyes.
The path turned left after the big oak tree and led into a field.
- bend
used of roads, rivers, and paths, not of people or vehicles
- swerve
sudden, sharp change of direction, often to avoid something
- change course
more formal; refers to a planned or deliberate change of direction
- go straight
to continue without changing direction
- stay on course
to keep moving in the same set direction
文法句型
turn + preposition phrase (direction)
turn + object + preposition phrase
用法筆記
When used of vehicles, the subject can be either the driver (Felix turned the car) or the vehicle itself (the car turned left). Both are natural.
常見錯誤
4. in the sport of cricket, describes a ball that bounces on the ground and changes
in the sport of cricket, describes a ball that bounces on the ground and changes direction unexpectedly, making it harder for the batter to hit it well.
The ball turned sharply off the pitch and hit the edge of the bat.
intransitive: ball + turns + adverb phrase
Arjun bowled a perfect spin that turned late and beat the batter completely.
turn + adverb (late/early/sharply)
On a dry pitch, the ball tends to turn more quickly after bouncing.
The umpire watched closely as the ball turned past the batter's defensive stroke.
文法句型
ball + turns + adverb
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in cricket contexts. The subject is always the ball. The degree or timing of the turn is described by adverbs such as sharply, late, early, square.
5. to move something so that the side that was underneath becomes visible or faces
to move something so that the side that was underneath becomes visible or faces upward — for example, flipping a page to continue reading, turning over a pancake to cook the other side, or revealing a hidden card.
Folake turned the page and continued reading the next chapter.
transitive: turn + a/the page — common set expression
The chef turned the pancake with a quick flick of the pan.
Tyler turned the old photograph over to read the date on the back.
The mattress needs to be turned every few months to wear evenly.
文法句型
turn + object + over
turn + over + adverb particle
用法筆記
Often used with the particle 'over' (turn over the card, turn the soil over) to emphasize the change of which side is up.
常見錯誤
6. to change from one state, colour, or condition into another — for instance, leav
to change from one state, colour, or condition into another — for instance, leaves turning from green to yellow in autumn, milk turning sour when left out, or a person's face turning red with embarrassment.
The leaves on the maple tree turned bright orange in October.
linking verb: turn + adjective (colour change)
Esteban left the milk out of the fridge and it turned sour overnight.
The prince in the fairy tale was turned into a frog by a wicked witch.
The sky turned dark as the storm clouds rolled in from the coast.
Tariq's face turned pale when he saw the huge spider on the wall.
文法句型
turn + adjective (color/condition)
turn + into + noun phrase
用法筆記
This is a linking verb (copula) that takes an adjective complement, similar to 'become' but more specific to visible or noticeable changes (colour, condition, temperature). Distinguish from sense 1 (ROTATE) — in this sense nothing physically spins.
常見錯誤
7. to reach or pass a particular birthday, especially one that marks a new stage of
to reach or pass a particular birthday, especially one that marks a new stage of life, such as turning eighteen, thirty, or sixty-five.
Mert turned eighteen last week and finally got his driver's license.
turn + number to indicate reaching a birthday
When Beatrix turns forty next year, her family is planning a big surprise party.
The children could not believe their grandmother had turned ninety years old.
Liang turned twenty-one yesterday and celebrated with a dinner downtown.
Zola will turn sixteen on the first day of summer vacation.
- reach
more formal and general; 'turn' is specifically about birthdays
文法句型
turn + age (no article)
用法筆記
Only used with a specific number — never 'turned old' or 'turned a birthday'. Common with milestone ages (18, 21, 30, 40, 65).
常見錯誤
8. when a clock or the time of day reaches a particular hour or minute, especially
when a clock or the time of day reaches a particular hour or minute, especially as an exact time passes.
It had just turned midnight when they heard a strange noise outside.
turn + time for the clock reaching an hour
By the time it turned three, most guests had already gone home.
Tamar checked her watch and saw that it had just turned half past seven.
Quan glanced at the station clock as it turned noon, right on schedule.
文法句型
it turns/turned + time
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'it' as the subject — 'it turned midnight', 'it had just turned ten'. Never used with 'the time turns'.
常見錯誤
9. to move a switch, button, or dial to make a device start, stop, or change how it
to move a switch, button, or dial to make a device start, stop, or change how it works, such as adjusting the volume, temperature, or flow of something.
Gabriela turned on the kitchen light before entering the dark room.
turn + on/off for activating or stopping devices
Matthew asked his sister to turn the television down because the music was too loud.
Chiara turned the radio up so she could hear the weather forecast clearly.
Tanvi turned off the water tap after filling the kettle for tea.
The night-shift nurse turned the heating pad to a higher setting for the patient.
- switch
interchangeable with 'turn' for on/off; 'turn' is more common for gradual adjustment (up/down)
文法句型
turn + object + on/off/up/down
用法筆記
The particle (on/off/up/down) can come before or after the object — 'turn off the light' or 'turn the light off'. When the object is a pronoun, the particle must follow: 'turn it off', not 'turn off it'.
常見錯誤
10. to injure a joint, especially the ankle, by twisting it suddenly and too far, ca
to injure a joint, especially the ankle, by twisting it suddenly and too far, causing pain and swelling.
Lotte turned her ankle while running down the stairs and had to sit down.
turn + ankle for twisting injury
Luca turned his foot badly during the basketball game and could not walk.
The dancer turned her ankle during morning rehearsal and spent the evening icing it.
Chiara stepped on a loose rock and turned her ankle on the hiking trail.
文法句型
turn + ankle/foot/wrist
用法筆記
Most common with 'ankle'. Can also be used with 'foot' or 'wrist'. Typically describes a sudden movement that causes immediate pain.
常見錯誤
11. to make rounded objects from wood or other hard materials by using a machine tha
to make rounded objects from wood or other hard materials by using a machine that holds and spins the material while you cut it with a sharp tool against its surface.
The woodturner carefully turned the oak block into a smooth bowl.
turn + material + into + shape (lathe work)
Mert learned to turn table legs from his grandfather, who owned a workshop.
The furniture maker turned each spindle by hand on the old wooden lathe.
Wood that has been turned on a lathe often has a smooth, rounded surface.
文法句型
turn + material + on a lathe
用法筆記
A technical sense used mainly in woodworking and metalworking. The past participle 'turned' is common in descriptions: 'a turned wooden leg'.
turned — noun
1. the time when it is your chance to act, because the person before you has finish
the time when it is your chance to act, because the person before you has finished and the person after you is waiting.
It is your turn to wash the dishes tonight, Yuki.
possessive: it is [your] turn + to-infinitive
The children took turns on the swing in the park.
collocation: take turns + on [something]
We each had a turn to hold the newborn puppy.
Wait until it is your turn before you speak in the meeting.
Whose turn is it to feed the cat this morning?
- go
more informal, British English ('it's your go')
- shot
informal, suggests a single attempt ('give it a shot')
- opportunity
more formal; does not imply an ordered sequence
文法句型
it is [possessive] turn + to-infinitive
take turns + -ing / at something
in turn
用法筆記
Frequently appears in possessive constructions (my, your, his, her, our, their). The fixed phrase 'in turn' means 'one after another in a particular order'. 'Take turns' is followed by a gerund (-ing) or 'at' + noun phrase.
常見錯誤
2. the action of moving something in a circle around a fixed central point, or a si
the action of moving something in a circle around a fixed central point, or a single complete circular movement of this kind.
A full turn of the steering wheel moved the car sharply.
full turn + of [something]
The dancer executed three quick turns on one foot.
Give the handle a turn and the lock will click open.
Each turn of the Earth on its axis takes about twenty-four hours.
The mechanic gave the screw one final turn to tighten it.
- revolution
technical, used for a complete 360° rotation around an axis
- spin
more informal, suggests fast rotation
- rotation
more formal; the process rather than one instance
文法句型
[number] + turn(s)
give + noun + a turn
用法筆記
Often used with 'give' in the pattern 'give [something] a turn'. Can be modified by a number ('three turns', 'several turns') or adjectives like 'full', 'half', 'complete'.
常見錯誤
3. an instance of shifting which way you travel or look; also, a bend or curve alon
an instance of shifting which way you travel or look; also, a bend or curve along a street, trail, or waterway.
Take the next turn on the left after the supermarket.
imperative: take the [next/left/right] turn + location
The river makes a sharp turn near the old wooden bridge.
A sudden turn to the right helped Omar avoid the fallen branch.
The path had so many turns that Deepa completely lost her way.
No left turn is allowed at this junction during rush hour.
文法句型
take + the [first/next/left/right] turn
make + a turn
用法筆記
Common in driving directions ('take the second turn'). When used as a place or bend, it is often modified by an adjective ('sharp turn', 'sudden turn'). The sign phrase 'no [direction] turn' is used on roads.
常見錯誤
4. a change in the way a situation, event, or process is developing, especially one
a change in the way a situation, event, or process is developing, especially one that is unexpected or significant.
The investigation took a surprising turn when new evidence appeared.
take + a/an [adjective] turn
The weather took a turn for the worse, so we stayed indoors.
take a turn for the better/worse
Things took an interesting turn when Clara won the competition.
The story had a happy turn at the very end.
Kwame's luck took a good turn after he found a new job.
- shift
suggests a gradual change rather than a sudden one
- development
more neutral, does not imply direction of change
- twist
suggests an unexpected or surprising turn of events
文法句型
take a turn for the better/worse
take an [adjective] turn
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed expressions 'take a turn for the better/worse' or 'take an [adjective] turn'. The adjective describes the nature of the change (e.g. 'surprising', 'unexpected', 'dramatic', 'unfortunate').
常見錯誤
5. a short performance or act by one person or group, especially in a variety show
a short performance or act by one person or group, especially in a variety show or comedy programme where different acts follow each other.
Each comedian did a ten-minute turn on the stage.
do + a [time] + turn
The magician's turn was the highlight of the entire show.
Amara sang a beautiful folk song during her turn.
The audience clapped and cheered after every turn.
文法句型
[possessive] + turn
do + a [time] + turn
用法筆記
Chiefly British. In American English, 'act' or 'number' is more common for this sense. Often modified by a time expression ('a five-minute turn') or possessive ('her turn').
6. a sudden short feeling of illness, dizziness, or nervous shock, often caused by
a sudden short feeling of illness, dizziness, or nervous shock, often caused by a physical or emotional strain.
Grandma had a turn after walking up the stairs too quickly.
have a turn (sudden illness)
The unexpected news gave Fatima quite a turn.
give + someone + quite a turn (shock)
I felt a dizzy turn and had to sit down immediately.
It was just a turn — Aunt Rosa felt fine after resting.
文法句型
have a turn
give + someone + a turn
用法筆記
Informal, chiefly British. The phrase 'give someone a turn' means to shock or frighten someone. 'Have a turn' refers to a spell of illness or dizziness. Not used for serious or long-term medical conditions.