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B1 verb #29 le plus courant 15 min de lecture

turned

Top 29

At the A1 level, 'turned' is used in very simple ways. You will mostly use it to talk about age and basic directions. For example, when you have a birthday, you say 'I turned 10.' This means you were 9, and now you are 10. It is also used for simple movements. If you are walking and you go to the left, you 'turned left.' You might also see it with colors, like 'The light turned green.' These are the most common and easiest ways to use the word. You don't need to worry about complex meanings yet. Just remember that 'turned' is the past tense of 'turn.' If you did it yesterday, you use 'turned.' If you are doing it now, you use 'turn.' This word helps you tell simple stories about your life and give basic instructions to others. It is a very helpful word for beginners because it describes changes that happen every day.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'turned' for more things. You still use it for age and directions, but you can also use it to describe simple changes in the weather or food. For example, 'The weather turned cold' or 'The milk turned sour.' These sentences show that something changed from one state to another. You might also start using simple phrasal verbs like 'turned on' or 'turned off' for lights and electronics. 'I turned on the TV' is a very common A2 sentence. You are also learning to use it in short stories to show movement, like 'He turned the key and opened the door.' At this level, 'turned' helps you add more detail to your descriptions of events. You are moving beyond just 'is' and 'was' to show how things change over time. It's important to practice the difference between 'turn' (now) and 'turned' (past) in your speaking and writing.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'turned' in many different contexts. You can use it to describe more complex transformations using 'turned into.' For example, 'The old house was turned into a museum.' This shows a big change. You can also use it to describe people's reactions or changes in a situation, like 'The conversation turned to politics' or 'The game turned in our favor.' You are also using more phrasal verbs like 'turned out' (the result) or 'turned up' (arrived). For instance, 'It turned out to be a sunny day' or 'He turned up late for the meeting.' At B1, 'turned' is a key word for connecting ideas in a narrative. It helps you explain why things happened and how situations evolved. You should also be careful with common mistakes, like using 'became' when you should use 'turned' for colors or age. This level is about making your English sound more natural and fluid by using 'turned' in idiomatic ways.

At the B2 level, you use 'turned' with more nuance and precision. You can use it for metaphorical changes, such as 'The tide turned against the company' or 'He turned a blind eye to the problem.' These expressions show a deeper understanding of English idioms. You are also able to use 'turned' in more complex grammatical structures, like the passive voice ('The decision was turned over to the committee') or as an adjective ('the turned-up edges of the paper'). You can describe subtle shifts in mood or atmosphere, such as 'The mood in the room turned somber.' At this level, you are expected to choose 'turned' over simpler words like 'changed' or 'became' when it is more appropriate for the context. You also understand the difference between 'turned to' (seeking help) and 'turned into' (transformation) perfectly. Your use of 'turned' helps you express sophisticated ideas about change, results, and human behavior in both formal and informal settings.

At the C1 level, your use of 'turned' is sophisticated and varied. You use it in literary and academic contexts to describe complex developments. For example, you might write about how a 'philosophical inquiry turned into a political movement' or how a 'writer turned his attention to social issues.' You are comfortable with rare idioms and phrasal verbs, such as 'turned to account' (to make use of something) or 'turned out' in the sense of producing goods ('The factory turned out 1,000 units a day'). You can use 'turned' to create specific tones in your writing, using it to describe the passage of time or the evolution of an argument with elegance. You also recognize the subtle differences between 'turned' and its synonyms like 'pivoted' or 'veered' and choose the one that fits the register and meaning exactly. At C1, 'turned' is not just a verb; it is a tool for precise and evocative expression in high-level communication.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'turned' and all its idiomatic, phrasal, and metaphorical uses. You can use it in highly specialized contexts, such as legal or technical writing, where 'turned' might have specific meanings (e.g., 'the case turned on a single piece of evidence'). You are also adept at using it in creative writing to describe sensory details or psychological shifts with great depth. You understand the historical roots of the word and how that influences its modern usage. You can play with the word in puns or complex metaphors, and you never confuse it with its synonyms. Your use of 'turned' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, showing a deep sensitivity to its connotations and rhythmic properties in a sentence. At this level, 'turned' is a seamless part of your vast linguistic repertoire, used with effortless precision and flair.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

turned en 30 secondes

'Turned' is the past tense of 'turn', used for physical rotation like spinning a wheel or turning a key in a lock.
It is the standard English verb for reaching a new age, such as 'turning twenty-one' on a birthday.
The word describes natural changes in state, such as leaves turning brown or milk turning sour over time.
It is essential for phrasal verbs like 'turned out' (resulted), 'turned up' (arrived), and 'turned down' (rejected).

The word turned is a versatile verb that serves as the past tense and past participle of 'turn'. At its core, it describes the act of moving around a central point or changing the orientation of an object. However, its utility in the English language extends far beyond simple physical rotation. When we say something has turned, we are often describing a transition—a shift from one state of being to another, a change in direction, or the progression of time. This word is a fundamental building block for describing dynamic processes, whether they are as literal as a wheel spinning or as metaphorical as a person's mood shifting suddenly during a conversation. Understanding 'turned' requires recognizing its dual nature: it is both a verb of action and a verb of becoming.

Physical Rotation: This refers to the movement of an object around an axis. For example, when you use a key, you have turned it to align the internal pins of the lock. It implies a circular or semi-circular motion that changes the position of the object without necessarily moving it to a new location.

The old rusty key finally turned in the lock, allowing us to enter the forgotten attic.

Beyond physical movement, 'turned' is frequently used to describe the passage of time, specifically regarding age. In English, we do not simply 'become' a certain age; we 'turn' that age. This suggests a milestone has been reached, much like a page being flipped in a book. When a child reaches their fifth birthday, we say they 'turned five'. This usage is ubiquitous in social contexts and is one of the first ways learners encounter the word in a non-spatial sense. It carries a sense of inevitability and completion, marking the transition from one year of life to the next with a definitive linguistic marker.

Change of State: This usage indicates a transformation in appearance, quality, or condition. It is often used with colors (the leaves turned gold) or conditions (the weather turned cold). It suggests a natural or spontaneous shift that has already occurred.

As the sun began to set, the sky turned a brilliant shade of violet and orange.

In narrative storytelling, 'turned' is a powerful tool for indicating a change in direction—both literal and figurative. A character might have turned a corner to escape a pursuer, or a plot might have turned in an unexpected direction. This versatility allows writers to create a sense of movement and evolution within their prose. When used figuratively, 'turned' can describe a change in attitude or loyalty. For instance, if a friend 'turned' on you, it means they became your enemy or betrayed your trust. This emotional weight makes the word essential for describing complex human interactions and the shifting sands of relationships.

The conversation turned serious when they began discussing the future of the company.

Directional Shift: Used to describe changing the path of travel. Whether walking, driving, or sailing, if you changed your heading, you turned. It is often followed by a direction like 'left', 'right', or 'back'.

We turned left at the intersection to find the hidden cafe.

Finally, 'turned' appears in numerous phrasal verbs that are essential for natural-sounding English. 'Turned out' can mean to result in something or to extinguish a light. 'Turned up' can mean to arrive or to increase volume. 'Turned down' can mean to reject an offer or to decrease volume. These variations demonstrate that 'turned' is not just a single-meaning word but a core element of a vast network of expressions. Mastering 'turned' involves not only knowing its primary definitions but also becoming comfortable with these idiomatic extensions that populate daily conversation and formal writing alike.

It turned out that the storm was much milder than the weather reports had predicted.

Using 'turned' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a past tense verb and its various semantic applications. Because it can be both transitive (taking an object) and intransitive (not taking an object), the sentence structures it inhabits are diverse. When used transitively, 'turned' shows an agent acting upon something: 'She turned the handle.' Here, 'she' is the subject, 'turned' is the action, and 'the handle' is the object receiving the action. This structure is common for physical manipulations of objects. In contrast, when used intransitively, the subject itself undergoes the change: 'The car turned.' Here, the car is performing the action of changing direction without acting upon another object.

Transitive Usage: Subject + turned + Object. Example: 'He turned the page of his book.' This shows control over an external item.

The chef turned the steak over to ensure it cooked evenly on both sides.

One of the most frequent uses of 'turned' is in the context of age and time. The pattern 'Subject + turned + [Age]' is the standard way to express reaching a new year of life. It is important to note that we do not use 'became' for age in English; 'turned' is the specific verb for this transition. For example, 'I turned thirty last month' is correct, while 'I became thirty' sounds unnatural to native speakers. This specific usage also extends to the time of day in some literary contexts, such as 'The clock turned midnight,' though this is less common than the age-related usage.

State Transformation: Subject + turned + Adjective. Example: 'The milk turned sour.' This describes a change in the subject's quality.

After the long hike, his legs turned to jelly from exhaustion.

Another sophisticated way to use 'turned' is with the preposition 'into'. The construction 'turned into' signifies a complete metamorphosis. This can be literal, as in fairy tales ('The frog turned into a prince'), or figurative, as in daily life ('The small argument turned into a huge fight'). This usage is vital for describing escalation or radical change. It implies that the original entity has been replaced or fundamentally altered by the process of turning. When using this, ensure that the object following 'into' represents the new state or identity of the subject.

The caterpillars turned into beautiful butterflies after several weeks in their cocoons.

Finally, 'turned' is used in passive constructions to show that something was acted upon by an outside force. 'The tide was turned' is a classic example, often used metaphorically to mean that the direction of a conflict or situation was changed by a specific event. In these cases, 'turned' functions as the past participle. This is also seen in phrases like 'a turned-up collar' or 'a turned-down bed,' where the word acts as an adjective derived from the verb, describing the state of the object. Mastering these various structures—transitive, intransitive, age-related, transformative, and passive—will allow you to use 'turned' with the precision and variety of a native speaker.

Phrasal Verb: Turned Out: Subject + turned out + [Result/Adjective]. Example: 'The party turned out to be a great success.' This indicates the final result of a situation.

Despite our initial worries, the weather turned out to be perfect for the wedding.

The word 'turned' is ubiquitous in English, appearing in everything from high literature to casual street slang. In daily conversation, you will most frequently hear it in the context of navigation and storytelling. When giving directions, people will say, 'I turned right at the light,' or 'We turned back when we realized we were lost.' In personal anecdotes, 'turned' serves as a pivotal verb to describe changes in a story's trajectory: 'Then the situation turned ugly,' or 'He turned to me and said...' These uses are so common that they often go unnoticed, yet they provide the necessary structure for describing movement and interaction in time and space.

Daily Life & Navigation: Commonly heard when people describe their commute or movements throughout the day. It is the standard verb for changing direction while walking or driving.

I turned the car around when I realized I had left my phone at home.

In the world of news and media, 'turned' is a favorite for journalists describing shifting public opinion or political developments. You might hear a news anchor say, 'The tide has turned against the incumbent candidate,' or 'The protest turned violent late last night.' In these contexts, 'turned' conveys a sense of momentum and significant change. It is also used in sports commentary to describe a sudden shift in the game's momentum: 'The momentum turned in favor of the home team after the halftime break.' This usage highlights the word's ability to describe abstract forces as if they were physical objects moving in space.

News & Media: Used to report on escalating situations or shifts in public sentiment. It provides a dynamic way to describe how events evolve over time.

Public opinion turned sharply against the new policy after the details were leaked.

In professional and academic settings, 'turned' is used to describe the results of experiments or business ventures. A researcher might state that 'The results turned out to be inconclusive,' or a manager might note that 'The project turned a profit in its second year.' Here, 'turned' is part of formal idioms that describe outcomes and financial transitions. It is also used in technical fields, such as engineering or mechanics, to describe the operation of machinery: 'The turbine turned at a rate of 500 RPM.' This demonstrates that the word is as comfortable in a laboratory or a boardroom as it is in a kitchen or a playground.

The startup turned its first profit just eighteen months after launching.

Finally, 'turned' is a staple of popular culture, especially in music and film. Countless song lyrics use 'turned' to describe heartbreak or transformation: 'You turned your back on me,' or 'My world turned upside down.' In movies, 'turned' is often used in the context of supernatural transformations—vampires, werewolves, or zombies are often described as having 'turned'. This pop-culture usage reinforces the word's association with radical, often irreversible change. Whether you are reading a classic novel, watching the evening news, or listening to the latest pop hit, 'turned' is a word you will encounter constantly, serving as a linguistic pivot for a wide array of human experiences.

Pop Culture & Fiction: Frequently used in stories involving transformation, betrayal, or emotional upheaval. It adds a sense of drama and finality to the narrative.

In the horror movie, the protagonist realized too late that his best friend had turned into a zombie.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 'turned' is confusing it with 'became'. While both words describe a change in state, they are not always interchangeable. 'Turned' is specifically used for changes in color, age, and natural conditions (like weather or milk going sour). 'Became' is more general and is used for professions, long-term states, or identities. For example, you 'became a doctor,' you didn't 'turn a doctor.' Conversely, you 'turned twenty,' you didn't 'become twenty' (though 'became' is grammatically possible for age, 'turned' is the natural choice). Understanding this distinction is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Turned vs. Became: Use 'turned' for age, color, and physical changes. Use 'became' for roles, professions, and general states of being. Example: 'He turned pale' (correct) vs. 'He became a teacher' (correct).

Correct: She turned 18 yesterday. Incorrect: She became 18 yesterday.

Another common error involves the misuse of prepositions with 'turned'. Learners often confuse 'turned to' and 'turned into'. 'Turned to' usually implies looking at someone for help or shifting focus: 'He turned to his mother for advice.' 'Turned into' implies a physical or fundamental transformation: 'The ice turned into water.' Using 'turned to' when you mean 'turned into' can lead to confusion. For instance, saying 'The caterpillar turned to a butterfly' suggests the caterpillar looked at the butterfly, rather than becoming one. Paying close attention to these small words after 'turned' is essential for clarity.

Preposition Confusion: 'Turned to' = Shifting focus or seeking help. 'Turned into' = Transformation. 'Turned on' = Activating a device or betraying someone.

The small spark turned into a raging forest fire within minutes.

Spelling and tense consistency also present challenges. Because 'turned' is a regular verb, it ends in '-ed', but some learners mistakenly try to treat it as irregular or forget the '-ed' in the past tense. Additionally, in complex sentences, learners might lose track of the subject-verb agreement or the sequence of tenses. For example, 'When he turns the key, the engine turned' is incorrect because it mixes the present and past tenses. It should be 'When he turned the key, the engine turned over.' Ensuring that 'turned' matches the temporal context of the rest of the sentence is a hallmark of advanced proficiency.

Incorrect: He turn the page and saw a picture. Correct: He turned the page and saw a picture.

Finally, the phrasal verb 'turned out' is often misused. Learners sometimes use it when they simply mean 'happened' or 'was'. While 'turned out' can mean 'happened', it specifically implies a result that was discovered or became clear over time. Saying 'It turned out raining' is incorrect; it should be 'It turned out to be raining' or 'The weather turned out to be rainy.' The inclusion of 'to be' is often necessary when 'turned out' is followed by a noun or an adjective describing a state. Avoiding these common pitfalls—distinguishing it from 'became', using the right prepositions, maintaining tense, and correctly structuring phrasal verbs—will significantly improve your command of 'turned'.

Phrasal Verb Structure: 'Turned out' often requires 'to be' before a noun or adjective. Example: 'It turned out to be a lie' (correct) vs. 'It turned out a lie' (less common/informal).

The stranger turned out to be a long-lost relative of the family.

While 'turned' is a highly useful word, English offers many alternatives that can provide more specific meaning or a different tone. When describing physical rotation, words like 'rotated', 'spun', 'pivoted', or 'revolved' can be more precise. 'Rotated' often implies a formal or mechanical movement around an axis. 'Spun' suggests a rapid, continuous turning. 'Pivoted' describes turning on a single point, often used in sports or business to describe a change in strategy. 'Revolved' is typically used for objects moving in a circle around another object, like the Earth revolving around the sun. Choosing the right synonym can make your writing more vivid and accurate.

Physical Synonyms: 'Rotated': Mechanical or formal. 'Spun': Fast and continuous. 'Pivoted': Turning on a point. 'Revolved': Circular path around a center.

The dancer spun gracefully across the stage, her dress flaring out around her.

When 'turned' is used to describe a change in state or appearance, alternatives like 'became', 'transformed', 'converted', or 'evolved' might be appropriate. 'Became' is the most general and neutral alternative. 'Transformed' suggests a significant and often positive change in form or character. 'Converted' is often used for changes in belief, currency, or physical properties (like energy). 'Evolved' implies a gradual change over a long period. Using these words instead of 'turned' can help convey the nature and speed of the transformation you are describing, adding depth to your communication.

Transformation Synonyms: 'Became': General change. 'Transformed': Major change in form. 'Converted': Change in function or belief. 'Evolved': Gradual development.

The old warehouse was transformed into a modern art gallery.

In the context of direction and movement, you might use 'veered', 'swerved', 'diverged', or 'shifted'. 'Veered' suggests a sudden or gradual change in course, often used for vehicles or wind. 'Swerved' implies a sharp, sudden turn to avoid something. 'Diverged' is used when two paths move away from each other. 'Shifted' describes a change in position or focus, often used for abstract things like attention or weight. These alternatives allow for more nuanced descriptions of how things move and change their path, providing the reader or listener with a clearer mental image of the action.

The car swerved to avoid the deer that had jumped into the middle of the road.

Finally, consider the register of your writing. In formal or academic contexts, 'turned' might be replaced by more sophisticated verbs. Instead of saying a situation 'turned bad', you might say it 'deteriorated'. Instead of saying someone 'turned to' a book, you might say they 'consulted' it. Instead of saying a business 'turned a profit', you might say it 'generated' a profit. While 'turned' is perfectly acceptable in most situations, being aware of these higher-level alternatives will help you tailor your language to your audience and purpose, demonstrating a rich and flexible vocabulary.

Formal Alternatives: 'Deteriorated': For 'turned bad'. 'Consulted': For 'turned to' (a source). 'Generated': For 'turned' (a profit). 'Commenced': For 'turned to' (an activity).

The patient's condition deteriorated rapidly during the night, requiring immediate intervention.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"The investigation turned upon the validity of the witness's statement."

Neutre

"He turned the car into the driveway."

Informel

"The party turned into a total mess."

Child friendly

"The caterpillar turned into a butterfly!"

Argot

"He turned on his crew to save himself."

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'turn' originally referred specifically to the work of a carpenter using a lathe to make round objects.

Guide de prononciation

UK /tɜːnd/

US /tɜːrnd/

Single syllable word; no internal stress.

Rime avec

burned learned earned yearned churned spurned discerned returned

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'ed' as a separate syllable (turn-ed).
Forgetting the 'd' sound at the end.
Confusing the vowel sound with 'torn'.
Not pronouncing the 'r' in American English.
Over-emphasizing the 't' at the start.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Very common in all types of texts.

Écriture 3/5

Requires knowledge of many phrasal verbs.

Expression orale 2/5

Essential for basic storytelling and age.

Écoute 2/5

Easily recognized in speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

turn change go become move

Apprends ensuite

transform rotate result reject arrive

Avancé

pivot veer metamorphosis revolve diverge

Grammaire à connaître

Past Tense Formation

Add -ed to 'turn' to make 'turned'.

Transitive vs Intransitive

She turned the key (Transitive). The car turned (Intransitive).

Phrasal Verbs

Turned up, turned down, turned out.

Stative Change

Use 'turned' for color and age changes.

Passive Voice

The stone was turned over by the child.

Exemples par niveau

I turned 10 years old last week.

I reached the age of 10.

Past tense of 'turn' used for age.

He turned the car left.

He changed the car's direction to the left.

Transitive verb showing direction.

The light turned green.

The color of the light changed to green.

Used for a change in color.

She turned the page of the book.

She moved the page to see the next one.

Physical action on an object.

We turned back to the house.

We went back to where we started.

Phrasal verb 'turn back' in past tense.

The cat turned its head.

The cat moved its head to look.

Simple physical movement.

I turned off the lamp.

I stopped the light from shining.

Phrasal verb 'turn off' in past tense.

The milk turned bad.

The milk is not good to drink now.

Used for food changing state.

The weather turned cold suddenly.

The temperature dropped quickly.

Used for weather changes.

She turned on the radio to hear the news.

She started the radio.

Phrasal verb 'turn on' in past tense.

He turned his chair to face the window.

He moved his chair around.

Transitive use for physical orientation.

The leaves turned yellow in October.

The leaves changed color in autumn.

Natural change of color.

They turned the old shop into a cafe.

They changed the shop to make it a cafe.

'Turned into' for transformation.

I turned the volume down because it was too loud.

I made the sound quieter.

Phrasal verb 'turn down' in past tense.

He turned to me and smiled.

He moved his body to look at me.

Directional movement towards a person.

The key turned easily in the lock.

The key moved without any problem.

Intransitive use describing the action of the key.

The party turned out to be a lot of fun.

The result of the party was fun.

Phrasal verb 'turn out' meaning 'resulted in'.

She turned down the job offer because the salary was low.

She rejected the job.

Phrasal verb 'turn down' meaning 'reject'.

The conversation turned to our holiday plans.

We started talking about our holiday.

Metaphorical change in topic.

He turned up at the meeting without any notes.

He arrived at the meeting.

Phrasal verb 'turn up' meaning 'arrive'.

The situation turned into a nightmare.

The situation became very bad.

'Turned into' for a negative transformation.

I turned to my teacher for help with the project.

I asked my teacher for help.

'Turn to' meaning 'seek assistance'.

The milk has turned; don't use it for the cake.

The milk is sour.

Present perfect use of 'turned' as a state.

He turned the problem over in his mind.

He thought about the problem carefully.

Idiomatic use meaning 'to consider'.

The tide turned in favor of the rebels.

The situation changed to help the rebels.

Idiomatic expression for shifting momentum.

He turned a blind eye to his son's bad behavior.

He ignored the bad behavior.

Idiom: 'turn a blind eye'.

The company turned a profit for the first time this year.

The company made money.

Business idiom: 'turn a profit'.

She turned her back on her former friends.

She stopped being friends with them.

Idiom: 'turn one's back on'.

The investigation turned up some interesting evidence.

The investigation found new evidence.

Phrasal verb 'turn up' meaning 'discover'.

The project turned out much better than expected.

The result was better than we thought.

Phrasal verb 'turn out' with an adverbial phrase.

He turned the tables on his opponent during the debate.

He gained the advantage over his opponent.

Idiom: 'turn the tables'.

The mood in the room turned somber after the news.

The atmosphere became sad.

Describing a change in atmosphere.

The success of the venture turned on a single marketing decision.

The success depended on that decision.

'Turn on' meaning 'depend on'.

He turned his hand to gardening after he retired.

He started doing gardening.

Idiom: 'turn one's hand to' (start a new activity).

The author turned the classic fairy tale on its head.

The author changed the story completely.

Idiom: 'turn something on its head'.

The factory turned out thousands of units every day.

The factory produced many units.

Phrasal verb 'turn out' meaning 'produce'.

She turned to account every opportunity that came her way.

She made good use of every opportunity.

Idiom: 'turn to account' (make useful).

The discussion turned upon the ethical implications of AI.

The discussion was mainly about AI ethics.

'Turn upon' meaning 'be centered on'.

He turned state's evidence to avoid a long prison sentence.

He testified against his partners.

Legal idiom: 'turn state's evidence'.

The once-vibrant city had turned into a ghost town.

The city became empty and quiet.

Metaphorical use of 'turned into'.

The philosopher turned his gaze toward the nature of existence.

The philosopher began to study existence.

Literary use for shifting focus.

The argument was so well-turned that no one could refute it.

The argument was very well-expressed.

'Well-turned' as an adjective meaning 'gracefully expressed'.

He turned a deaf ear to the pleas of the common people.

He refused to listen to them.

Idiom: 'turn a deaf ear'.

The plot turned on a subtle piece of foreshadowing in the first chapter.

The whole plot depended on that small detail.

Advanced narrative analysis usage.

She turned the house upside down looking for her keys.

She searched the whole house very thoroughly.

Idiom: 'turn upside down'.

The winter of their discontent was turned to glorious summer.

Their bad times became good times.

Literary allusion (Shakespeare).

He turned tail and ran as soon as he saw the police.

He ran away in fear.

Idiom: 'turn tail'.

The milk of human kindness had turned to gall in his heart.

He became bitter and unkind.

Complex literary metaphor.

Collocations courantes

turned out

turned 21

turned red

turned left

turned into

turned away

turned back

turned down

turned up

turned around

Phrases Courantes

turned the corner

turned a profit

turned upside down

turned inside out

turned on its head

turned pro

turned sour

turned pale

turned tail

turned the tide

Souvent confondu avec

turned vs became

Use 'turned' for age/color; 'became' for professions.

turned vs returned

'Returned' means going back; 'turned' means changing direction.

turned vs torn

'Torn' is the past participle of 'tear' (rip); 'turned' is about rotation.

Expressions idiomatiques

"turned a blind eye"

To pretend not to notice something wrong.

The manager turned a blind eye to the small thefts.

informal/neutral

"turned the tables"

To reverse a situation so you have the advantage.

She turned the tables on her critics.

neutral

"turned over a new leaf"

To start behaving in a better way.

He promised to turn over a new leaf.

neutral

"turned up the heat"

To increase pressure on someone.

The police turned up the heat on the suspect.

informal

"turned a deaf ear"

To refuse to listen to a request or complaint.

They turned a deaf ear to our pleas.

neutral

"turned heads"

To attract a lot of attention.

Her dress certainly turned heads at the party.

informal

"turned to stone"

To become unable to move or speak from fear.

He turned to stone when he saw the snake.

literary

"turned stomach"

To make someone feel sick or disgusted.

The smell of the old fish turned my stomach.

informal

"turned on a dime"

To change direction or behavior very quickly.

The car can turn on a dime.

informal

"turned the air blue"

To use a lot of swear words.

He turned the air blue when he dropped the hammer.

informal

Facile à confondre

turned vs became

Both describe change.

'Turned' is for age, color, and natural state changes. 'Became' is for roles and general states.

He turned 30 and became a manager.

turned vs rotated

Both involve circular motion.

'Rotated' is more formal and often implies a full circle. 'Turned' is more general.

The Earth rotated; he turned the page.

turned vs changed

Both mean a shift occurred.

'Changed' is very broad. 'Turned' implies a specific type of shift or transformation.

The weather changed; it turned cold.

turned vs veered

Both mean changing direction.

'Veered' is usually sudden or uncontrolled. 'Turned' is a standard movement.

The car veered off the road after he turned the wheel too hard.

turned vs grew

Both can describe a change in state.

'Grew' implies a gradual increase or development. 'Turned' implies a shift into a new state.

He grew tall; his hair turned grey.

Structures de phrases

I turned [Age].

I turned seven.

The [Object] turned [Color].

The light turned red.

I turned [Direction].

I turned right.

He turned on the [Device].

He turned on the fan.

It turned out to be [Adjective].

It turned out to be easy.

She turned into a [Noun].

She turned into a great leader.

The [Situation] turned [Adjective].

The meeting turned sour.

The [Outcome] turned on [Factor].

The deal turned on the price.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written English.

Erreurs courantes

I became 18 last year. → I turned 18 last year.
We use 'turned' for reaching a specific age.
The caterpillar turned to a butterfly. → The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
'Turned into' is used for physical transformations.
He turn the key. → He turned the key.
Use the past tense '-ed' for completed actions.
It turned out raining. → It turned out to be raining.
'Turned out' needs 'to be' before a verb or adjective describing a state.
She turned the light out of. → She turned the light off.
The correct phrasal verb for stopping a light is 'turn off'.

Astuces

Regular Verb

Always remember that 'turned' is regular. Don't try to use an irregular form like 'turnen' or 'torn' for the past tense of 'turn'.

Age Rule

Always use 'turned' for birthdays. It is the most natural way to express getting older in English.

Color Changes

Use 'turned' for colors in nature or human faces (e.g., 'turned red with embarrassment').

Phrasal Verbs

Master 'turned on/off' first, then move to 'turned out' and 'turned up' for more natural speech.

Metaphors

Use 'turned into' to describe dramatic changes in your stories to make them more engaging.

Context Clues

If you hear 'turned' followed by a direction, it's movement. If followed by a number, it's age.

Turned To

Use 'turned to' when a character is seeking help or advice from another person.

Turn a Blind Eye

This is a very common idiom. Use it when someone chooses to ignore something they know is wrong.

Turn a Profit

Use this phrase in business reports to describe financial success.

Avoid 'Became' for Color

Avoid saying 'The sky became dark'. 'The sky turned dark' sounds much more natural.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'U-turn'. When you have 'turned', you have completed the change.

Association visuelle

Imagine a key in a lock or a clock hand moving forward.

Word Web

age color direction result change rotation movement state

Défi

Write three sentences using 'turned' for age, color, and a phrasal verb.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Old English word 'tyrnan', which came from the Latin 'tornare' (to turn in a lathe).

Sens originel : To round off or fashion on a lathe.

Germanic origin with Latin roots.

Contexte culturel

Be careful when saying someone 'turned' on you, as it implies a serious betrayal.

Reaching age 21 is often called 'turning 21' and is a significant rite of passage.

The song 'Turn! Turn! Turn!' by The Byrds. The phrase 'The world turned upside down' from the musical Hamilton. Shakespeare's 'The winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Birthdays

turned five
just turned
turning point
turned a year older

Driving

turned left
turned right
turned around
turned the corner

Cooking

turned the heat down
turned the meat
turned sour
turned out well

Storytelling

turned to me
turned out that
turned into
situation turned

Technology

turned on
turned off
turned up the volume
turned the power off

Amorces de conversation

"What was the best thing that happened when you turned eighteen?"

"Have you ever turned a hobby into a successful business?"

"When was the last time a situation turned out differently than you expected?"

"Do you remember a time when the weather turned bad during a trip?"

"What is a book or movie that turned your way of thinking upside down?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a time when you turned to someone for help and what happened.

Write about a moment when your luck finally turned for the better.

Reflect on how you have changed since you turned ten years old.

Describe a project you worked on that turned out to be more difficult than you thought.

Think of a time you turned down an opportunity. Do you regret it?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

While grammatically possible, it sounds unnatural. Native speakers almost always say 'I turned 20'.

'Turned to' means looking for help or shifting focus. 'Turned into' means a complete transformation.

Usually, but it can act as an adjective, like in 'a turned-up nose' or 'turned wood'.

Use it to describe a result: 'The cake turned out great' or 'It turned out that he was lying'.

Yes, you can say someone 'turned angry' or 'the mood turned sad'.

It is a regular verb. The past tense and past participle are both 'turned'.

It is a business idiom meaning the company started making more money than it spent.

Use it for arriving ('He turned up late') or finding something ('The keys turned up').

It is better to say 'The leaves turned red' for natural color changes.

It means to reverse a situation so that you now have the advantage over someone else.