B1 Prepositions 18 min read Medium

Phrasal Verb: Turn Down (Volume & Rejection)

Mastering 'turn down' means confidently adjusting volume and gracefully saying 'no' in English.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

'Turn down' means to lower the volume/intensity of something or to politely refuse an offer or invitation.

  • Use it for volume or heat: 'Turn down the radio' (max 20 words)
  • Use it for rejection: 'She turned down the job offer' (max 20 words)
  • It is separable: 'Turn it down' is correct, 'Turn down it' is wrong (max 20 words)
Subject + Turn + (Object) + Down + (Object)

Overview

"Turn down" is a very common phrase in English. It is important to learn for speaking.

It has two main meanings. One is to make a sound lower. The other is to say no.

You can turn down a job offer. This helps you speak better English.

How This Grammar Works

Some English words use two parts together. "Turn down" is one of these words. You can split it.
You must know where to put the other words in the sentence.
When you use names of things, you have two choices. Both ways are correct.
You can say "turn the TV down." Or say "turn down the TV."
Small words like "it" or "them" are different. They must go in the middle.
Say "turn it down." Never say "turn down it." This is a very important rule.
This rule makes your English sound natural. It shows you are learning well.

Formation Pattern

1
Where you put words depends on the type of word you use.
2
1. With a Noun Object:
3
With things like "the radio," you have two choices. People will understand both ways.
4
| How to use | Words | Example (Sound) | Example (Saying No) |
5
| :------------------------------------ | :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------- |
6
| Turn + thing + down | turn + [thing] + down | "Turn the volume down." | "She turned the job down."
7
| Turn down + thing | turn down + [thing] | "Turn down the radio." | "He turned down the invite."
8
You can say "turn music down" or "turn down music." Both are correct.
9
2. With a Pronoun Object:
10
For words like "it" or "them," use only one way. Put the word in the middle.
11
| How to use | Words | Example (Sound) | Example (Saying No) |
12
| :------------------------------------ | :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------- |
13
| Turn + small word + down | turn + [it/them] + down | "Turn it down!" | "I turned them down."
14
Say "turn it down." Do not say "turn down it." This is a key rule for English.

When To Use It

Use "turn down" for two main things in daily life.
1. To Reduce Volume, Intensity, or Level:
Use it to make things lower. Use it for things like:
  • Audio: Decreasing the sound level of devices. This is perhaps its most frequent application. "Could you turn down the TV? I'm trying to concentrate on my online lecture." or "The music at the party was so loud, I asked the DJ to turn it down a bit." It's common in shared spaces like homes, offices, or public transport.
  • Light: Dimming the brightness of lights or screens. This is often for comfort or to set an ambiance. "My eyes hurt from the screen; I need to turn the brightness down on my monitor." Another example: "Turn down the lights in the living room; it's a bit too bright for watching a movie." This indicates a reduction, not switching off.
  • Temperature/Environmentals: Lowering the setting of heating or cooling systems. "It's getting too warm in here, can you turn the heating down?" or "The air conditioning is too strong; I'll turn it down slightly." This applies to thermostat controls and similar adjustments.
  • Abstract Intensity: Occasionally, it can refer to reducing the intensity of an abstract concept, though less literally. "You need to turn down the negative self-talk and focus on your achievements." This usage is more metaphorical but understood in context.
2. To Refuse or Reject (an Offer, Invitation, Request, or Person):
Use it to say no. It is a polite way to say no to someone.
  • Declining Offers: This is very common in professional and personal life. "I had to turn down the job offer because the commute was too long, even though the salary was good." You might also turn down a contract, a proposal, or a business opportunity. This highlights making a deliberate choice not to accept.
  • Rejecting Invitations: Whether social or professional, turn down is appropriate for declining invitations. "Unfortunately, we'll have to turn down your invitation to the gala; we already have plans that evening." or "She turned down the party invitation because she had a big exam the next day." It conveys a polite refusal.
  • Denying Requests: When you cannot or will not grant a request, turn down is a suitable verb. "The bank turned down my loan request because my credit score wasn't high enough." or "He turned down his friend's request to borrow money, as he was saving up himself." This suggests a reasoned decision not to fulfill the request.
  • Refusing a Person (Socially): This is used when declining romantic or social advances. "He asked her out for coffee, but she gently turn him down, explaining she was already seeing someone." This is a common, often euphemistic, way to describe a social rejection, emphasizing its softer nature compared to reject.

When Not To Use It

You cannot use "turn down" for everything. Use it only for these two meanings.
  • Not for Completely Switching Off/Terminating Function: Turn down implies a reduction in intensity or level, not a complete cessation. If you want to stop a device from working entirely, or switch off a light, you must use turn off. "Turn down the TV" means to lower the volume, whereas "Turn off the TV" means to power it down. Similarly, you turn down the lights to dim them, but you turn off the lights to plunge the room into darkness. Confusing these two is a very common error for B1 learners, so remember: down is for adjustment, off is for termination.
  • Not for General Reduction of Quantity or Amount: Turn down is primarily for adjustable levels or intensity, not for arbitrary amounts or quantities of countable or uncountable nouns. For instance, you would not say, "Turn down the sugar in my coffee." Instead, you would use verbs like reduce, cut back on, or simply ask for less sugar. Similarly, for finances, you cut down on expenses or reduce spending, not turn down expenses. The particle down in turn down specifically carries the meaning of decreasing an output or intensity, not simply subtracting from a total quantity.
  • Not for Formal, Absolute Refusal of a Duty or Responsibility: While turn down works well for offers and invitations, for more formal or definitive rejections of significant duties, roles, or responsibilities, verbs like decline or refuse are more appropriate and maintain a higher register. "She declined the chairmanship of the committee" sounds more formal and decisive than "She turned down the chairmanship." The latter isn't wrong, but the former is often preferred in official contexts, conveying greater gravitas.
  • Not for Internal Emotional or Abstract States (Typically): While some metaphorical uses exist (turn down the negative self-talk), you generally would not use turn down for directly controlling or lessening personal emotions or abstract concepts that are not directly quantifiable in terms of 'intensity' in the same way as volume or light. For example, you would calm down or manage your anger, not turn down your anger. The phrasal verb's specific semantic scope limits its application in these areas.

Common Mistakes

Many students make mistakes here. Learn these rules to speak correctly.
  • Incorrect Pronoun Placement: This is, without doubt, the most prevalent and significant error. As previously discussed, a pronoun object must go between turn and down. Students often mistakenly place the pronoun after the particle, mirroring structures of transitive verbs or misapplying the noun object rule. For example, saying "Can you turn down it?" instead of the correct "Can you turn it down?" This error immediately signals a non-native speaker. The underlying reason for this rule is a linguistic preference in English for light (unstressed) pronoun objects to be integrated closely with the verb, making the verb-pronoun-particle sequence the natural rhythm.
  • Confusing turn down with turn off: This leads to significant miscommunication. Students often use turn down when they intend to convey a complete cessation of function. For example, if you want someone to power off a loud machine, saying "Please turn it down" is incorrect if you mean "Please turn it off." Turn down implies reduction, turn off implies termination. The difference is critical: dimming the lights vs. switching the lights off. Understanding this distinction is key for expressing precise instructions.
  • Using turn down for General Reduction of Quantity: Another common error is applying turn down to situations where a general decrease in quantity or amount is desired, rather than a reduction in intensity. For instance, you cannot say "I need to turn down my calorie intake" (incorrect) for "I need to reduce my calorie intake" (correct). Turn down does not apply to numerical or aggregate quantities directly. The mental model should be: can this item be adjusted on a scale of intensity? If yes, turn down is possible; if it's merely a quantity, a different verb is needed.
  • Overly Literal Interpretation of down: Sometimes, learners fixate on the literal direction implied by down, leading to confusion. Phrasal verbs are often idiomatic, and the particle down does not always denote a physical downward movement. In turn down (rejection), down signifies negation or refusal, not a physical action. Understanding that phrasal verbs develop unique meanings beyond the sum of their parts is crucial.
  • Register Mismatch: While turn down is generally polite for refusal, using it in very formal written contexts where decline or reject would be expected can make your writing seem too casual. Conversely, using reject in a casual spoken context can sometimes sound harsher than intended when turn down would be more appropriate for politeness. Always consider the formality of the situation.

Common Collocations

Some words go together with 'turn down'. Using them helps you sound natural. They show the two meanings.
1. Collocations for Reducing Volume/Intensity:
These are items whose output or level can be adjusted downwards.
  • the music: "Can you turn down the music? I can't hear myself think."
  • the TV: "Please turn down the TV; the baby is sleeping."
  • the radio: "She turned down the radio to listen to the news report."
  • the volume: "He manually turned down the volume on his headphones."
  • the heat / the heating: "It's stifling in here; let's turn down the heat."
  • the AC / the air conditioning: "The office is freezing; someone needs to turn down the AC."
  • the fan: "The fan is too loud; turn it down a bit."
  • the lights: "We turned down the lights for a more romantic atmosphere."
  • the brightness (of a screen): "My phone's brightness was so high, I had to turn it down immediately."
2. Collocations for Refusing/Rejecting:
You can say no to jobs, help, or people.
  • an offer: "I had to turn down a better offer from another university."
  • a job offer: "After careful consideration, he turned down the job offer from Google."
  • a request: "The manager turned down her request for a pay raise."
  • an invitation: "We reluctantly turned down the wedding invitation because we're traveling that month."
  • a proposal: "The committee turned down the controversial proposal."
  • a suggestion: "He turned down my suggestion to work overtime, saying it wasn't necessary."
  • an application: "Unfortunately, his application for the scholarship was turned down."
  • a person: "She was upset because he turned her down for the dance." (Meaning: rejected her social/romantic advance).
Learn these words to use 'turn down' well. You will understand more English.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Compare 'turn down' with similar words. See how they are different. This helps you use it correctly.
  • Turn up (Opposite Action): Turn up is the direct antonym for turn down when referring to volume or intensity. While turn down means to decrease, turn up means to increase. "Turn up the music! This is my favorite song!" versus "Please turn down the music; it's too loud." This pair functions as a simple binary opposite for adjustable levels.
  • Turn off (Complete Termination): As highlighted in common mistakes, turn off signifies bringing something to a complete stop or switching it to an inactive state. This is a crucial distinction from turn down, which indicates a reduction but not total cessation. "Remember to turn off your laptop before you leave the office" (power down) is different from "Please turn down your screen brightness" (reduce intensity). The particle off denotes a state of disconnection or inactivity, whereas down denotes a lesser degree of activity or output.
  • Reject (More Formal/Direct Refusal): Reject is a formal and often more direct synonym for the refusal meaning of turn down. It carries a stronger, more definitive tone. "The university rejected his application for admission" sounds more absolute than "The university turned down his application." While both convey refusal, reject can sometimes imply a harsher, less considerate denial, especially in personal contexts. Turn down is often preferred in conversational settings for its softer, more polite implication.
  • Refuse (Action or Offer Refusal): Refuse is similar to reject but can apply both to declining an offer (like turn down) and to declining to perform an action. "She refused to answer the journalist's questions" (declined an action) versus "She turned down the offer to be interviewed." You can refuse a command or refuse to cooperate, but you typically turn down an offer. When referring to offers or invitations, refuse is often interchangeable with turn down but can also feel more emphatic, similar to reject.
  • Decline (Formal Refusal, Often Invitations/Offers): Decline is a formal and polite verb used primarily for refusing invitations, offers, or requests. It is a near-perfect synonym for turn down in its rejection meaning, especially in professional or social etiquette-bound contexts. "I had to decline the invitation to the conference due to a scheduling conflict" conveys the same meaning as "I had to turn down the invitation," but with a slightly more formal register. For B1 learners, decline is an excellent alternative to sound more sophisticated in formal situations, while turn down remains suitable for a broader range of contexts.
  • Dim (Specific to Light): When specifically referring to lights, dim is a direct synonym for turn down. "Dim the lights in the theatre" means the same as "Turn down the lights in the theatre." However, dim is restricted to light, whereas turn down has a broader application across various forms of intensity. Knowing dim provides a precise, single-word alternative for light adjustment.

Quick FAQ

Here are common questions about 'turn down'. Read the answers to learn more.
  • Q: Can I use turn down to talk about people?
  • A: Yes, absolutely. When someone asks you on a date, proposes a partnership, or makes a social advance, you can "turn them down." It's a common and generally polite way to express rejection in a social or romantic context. For example: "He asked her to the dance, but she had to turn him down gently."
  • Q: What's the main difference between turn down and turn off for things like lights or devices?
  • A: The key difference is the degree of action. Turn down means to reduce the intensity or level (e.g., make the light dimmer, lower the volume). Turn off means to completely stop the function or power of something (e.g., switch the light off entirely, power down the device). Remember: down for adjustment, off for cessation.
  • Q: Is turn down always considered polite when you're rejecting something?
  • A: Generally, yes, turn down is considered a softer and more polite way to refuse an offer, invitation, or request compared to reject or refuse. It often implies consideration. However, the overall politeness also depends on your tone of voice and any accompanying explanation. For instance, "I had to turn down their offer because..." is usually well-received.
  • Q: Can turn down be used with abstract ideas or emotions?
  • A: Sometimes, yes, but often metaphorically and less commonly than with tangible items. You might hear phrases like "turn down the negativity" or "turn down the drama," meaning to reduce the presence or intensity of those abstract concepts. However, for internal emotional states like anger, you would typically use calm down or manage your anger, not turn down your anger.
  • Q: How can I easily remember the rule about pronoun placement with turn down?
  • A: A helpful way to remember is the "sandwich rule". Imagine the verb turn is one slice of bread, and the particle down is the other. The pronoun (like it, them) is the filling, and it must go in the middle. So, turn + it + down forms the complete "sandwich." You never put the filling outside the bread (turn down it). This mnemonic helps reinforce the mandatory placement.
  • Q: Does turn down have any other common meanings beyond reducing intensity and rejection for B1 learners?
  • A: For the B1 level, these two primary meanings (reducing intensity/volume and refusing/rejecting) cover the vast majority of common usage. While some highly specialized or less common meanings might exist, focusing on these two will ensure you can use the phrasal verb effectively and confidently in almost any daily situation. Stick to mastering these core functions first.

Conjugating 'Turn Down'

Tense Subject Form Example
Present Simple
I / You / We / They
turn down
I turn down the heat.
Present Simple
He / She / It
turns down
She turns down the music.
Past Simple
All subjects
turned down
They turned down the offer.
Present Participle
All subjects
turning down
He is turning down the TV.
Past Participle
All subjects
turned down
The offer was turned down.

Contractions with Pronouns

Full Form Contraction Usage
I will turn it down
I'll turn it down
Future promise
Do not turn it down
Don't turn it down
Imperative/Command
He did not turn it down
He didn't turn it down
Past negative

Meanings

To reduce the amount of sound, heat, or light produced by a device, or to reject an offer, request, or application.

1

Volume/Intensity

To decrease the level of something (sound, heat, light).

“It's getting too hot in here; can you turn the heater down?”

“The lights were too bright, so he turned them down.”

2

Rejection/Refusal

To decline or refuse an offer, invitation, or proposal.

“He turned down the job because the salary was too low.”

“I had to turn down her invitation to the party.”

3

Folding (Rare/Specific)

To fold back the covers of a bed or the corner of a page.

“The hotel maid turned down the sheets while we were at dinner.”

“Don't turn down the corners of the book pages; use a bookmark.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Phrasal Verb: Turn Down (Volume & Rejection)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative (Noun)
Subject + turn down + noun
I turned down the job.
Affirmative (Separated)
Subject + turn + noun + down
I turned the job down.
Affirmative (Pronoun)
Subject + turn + pronoun + down
I turned it down.
Negative
Subject + do not + turn down
Don't turn down the volume.
Question
Do + subject + turn down...?
Did you turn down the offer?
Passive
Object + was turned down
The music was turned down.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
I regret to inform you that I must decline the offer.

I regret to inform you that I must decline the offer. (Professional)

Neutral
I decided to turn down the job offer.

I decided to turn down the job offer. (Professional)

Informal
I passed on the job.

I passed on the job. (Professional)

Slang
I swiped left on that gig.

I swiped left on that gig. (Professional)

The Two Worlds of 'Turn Down'

Turn Down

Physical Adjustment

  • Volume Music, TV, Radio
  • Heat Oven, Heater, AC
  • Light Lamp, Dimmer

Social Refusal

  • Job Offer Employment
  • Invitation Party, Dinner
  • Application Loan, University

Turn Down vs. Turn Off

Turn Down
Lowering Make it 20% quieter
Turn Off
Stopping Make it 0% (Silence)

Where does the object go?

1

Is the object a pronoun (it/them)?

YES
Put it in the middle: 'Turn it down'
NO
Put it in the middle OR at the end.

Common Objects for 'Turn Down'

📻

Devices

  • • Radio
  • • Television
  • • Speaker
💼

Opportunities

  • • Promotion
  • • Scholarship
  • • Contract
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Examples by Level

1

Turn down the TV.

2

Please turn it down.

3

I turn down the radio.

4

Can you turn down the music?

1

I turned down the invitation.

2

She didn't turn down the job.

3

Turn the heater down, please.

4

Why did you turn it down?

1

He had to turn down the offer because of the commute.

2

If the music is too loud, just turn it down.

3

The bank turned down my loan application.

4

I'm surprised she turned him down.

1

The proposal was turned down by the board of directors.

2

I'm going to turn the volume down a notch.

3

They turned down our request for more time.

4

She turned down the chance to study abroad.

1

It is unwise to turn down such a lucrative opportunity.

2

The hotel provides a turn-down service every evening.

3

He turned down the intensity of his workout after the injury.

4

The editor turned down the manuscript for being too derivative.

1

The sheer volume of applications meant many had to be turned down.

2

She flatly turned down any suggestion of a compromise.

3

The thermostat automatically turns down the heat at midnight.

4

I couldn't possibly turn down a request from an old friend.

Easily Confused

Phrasal Verb: Turn Down (Volume & Rejection) vs Turn Down vs. Turn Off

Learners think 'turn down' means to stop the device entirely.

Phrasal Verb: Turn Down (Volume & Rejection) vs Turn Down vs. Reject

Learners use 'reject' for volume or in casual conversation where it sounds too harsh.

Phrasal Verb: Turn Down (Volume & Rejection) vs Turn Down vs. Refuse

'Refuse' is often followed by an infinitive (to do), while 'turn down' is followed by a noun.

Common Mistakes

✗

Turn down it.

✓

Turn it down.

Pronouns must go in the middle of 'turn' and 'down'.
✗

Turn down the music off.

✓

Turn down the music.

Don't mix 'down' and 'off'. 'Down' is for volume, 'off' is for stopping.
✗

I turn down.

✓

I turn it down.

'Turn down' needs an object. You must say what you are turning down.
✗

Turn down the light off.

✓

Turn down the light.

To 'turn down' a light means to dim it, not to extinguish it.
✗

He turned down to the job.

✓

He turned down the job.

Do not use 'to' after 'turn down'. It takes a direct object.
✗

I turned down her.

✓

I turned her down.

Even with people (rejection), the pronoun must go in the middle.
✗

Can you turn down the volume more quiet?

✓

Can you turn down the volume?

'Turn down' already implies making it quieter. Adding 'more quiet' is redundant.
✗

The bank turned down to me.

✓

The bank turned me down.

The bank rejects the person or the application directly.
✗

I turned down the offer because it was too loud.

✓

I turned down the offer because the salary was low.

Don't confuse the two meanings. Offers aren't 'loud'.
✗

I'm turning down the radio off.

✓

I'm turning the radio down.

Using 'off' and 'down' together is contradictory.
✗

The hotel turned down my bed sheets.

✓

The hotel turned down the bed.

While 'sheets' is okay, the standard idiom is 'turn down the bed'.

Sentence Patterns

Could you please turn down the ___?

I had to turn down the ___ because ___.

If you don't turn that ___ down, I'm going to ___.

The ___ was turned down by ___.

Real World Usage

Texting a friend very common

Hey, sorry I had to turn down your invite! I'm swamped.

Job Interview Follow-up common

Thank you for the offer, but I have decided to turn it down.

At a Restaurant occasional

Could you turn the AC down? It's freezing in here.

Social Media common

I can't believe he turned down that collab!

Banking/Finance occasional

My credit card application was turned down.

Living with Roommates constant

Can you turn your music down? I'm trying to sleep!

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🎯

The Pronoun Sandwich

Always remember: 'Turn [pronoun] down'. Think of the pronoun as the meat in a sandwich between 'turn' and 'down'.
⚠️

Don't use with 'Off'

Never say 'turn down off'. If you want it quiet, use 'down'. If you want it stopped, use 'off'.
💬

Softening the Blow

When turning down a person, add 'I'm sorry but...' or 'I'd love to, but...' to remain polite.
💡

Opposites Attract

Learn 'turn up' at the same time. It's the exact opposite for volume, though for rejection, the opposite is 'accept'.

Smart Tips

Think of the pronoun as a magnet that is attracted to the verb 'turn'. It must stick to it before 'down' can be added.

I turned down it. → I turned it down.

Use 'decided to' before 'turn down' to make the rejection sound like a thoughtful process rather than a snap judgment.

I turned down the job. → I decided to turn down the job.

Use 'dim' as a synonym for 'turn down' to expand your vocabulary.

Turn down the lights. → Dim the lights.

Listen for the stress. Usually, the singer will emphasize 'DOWN' to make the rhythm work.

turn down for what → turn DOWN for what

Pronunciation

turn DOWN

Stress on the Particle

In phrasal verbs like 'turn down', the stress usually falls on the particle ('down') rather than the verb, especially at the end of a sentence.

tur-nit down

Linking

When 'turn' is followed by a pronoun starting with a vowel (like 'it'), the 'n' in 'turn' links to the 'i'.

Rising-Falling on 'Down'

Can you turn it ⤴down⤵?

A polite request.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a thumb pointing DOWN: you are lowering the sound or saying 'No' (thumbs down) to an offer.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant volume knob on a stereo. You turn it to the left (down) to make it quiet. Now imagine that same knob on a 'Job Offer'—you turn it down to say no.

Rhyme

When the music's a frown, turn it down. When the job's not for you, turn it down too!

Story

Little Timmy had a loud drum. His mom said, 'Turn it down!' Timmy was sad, so he offered his mom a cookie. His mom was on a diet, so she had to turn down the cookie. Timmy then turned down the covers on his bed and went to sleep.

Word Web

VolumeRejectDeclineLowerOfferInvitationSeparablePronoun

Challenge

Go to your kitchen or living room. Find three things with a volume or heat setting. Say out loud: 'I am turning down the [object].' Then, think of one thing you said 'no' to this week and say: 'I turned down the [thing].'

Cultural Notes

British speakers often use 'turn down' with 'a bit' to sound more polite and less demanding. 'Could you turn it down a bit?'

In the US, 'turn down' is very common in business. Turning down an offer is seen as a standard part of negotiation.

The 'turn-down service' is a specific luxury hotel tradition where staff prepare the bed for sleep.

The verb 'turn' comes from the Old French 'torner', meaning to rotate. 'Down' indicates the direction of the rotation on early mechanical dials.

Conversation Starters

“

Have you ever turned down a job offer? Why?

“

What do you do when your neighbors' music is too loud?

“

If someone turned you down for a date, how would you feel?

“

Can you think of a time you turned down a great opportunity?

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you had to turn down an invitation to a party or wedding.
Describe your ideal home environment. Mention how you like to adjust the lights, heat, and sound.
Argue for or against the statement: 'It is better to turn down a high-paying job if it makes you unhappy.'
Write a dialogue between two roommates where one is being too loud and the other is trying to study.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'turn down'.

The music is too loud. Please ___ it ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: turn / down
We use the base form for an imperative (command).
Which sentence is grammatically correct? Multiple Choice

Select the correct option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I turned it down.
Pronouns must go in the middle of separable phrasal verbs.
Fix the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

He turned down to the job offer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He turned down the job offer.
'Turn down' does not take the preposition 'to'.
Change the sentence to use 'turn down'. Sentence Transformation

She rejected the invitation.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She turned down the invitation.
'Turn down' is a synonym for 'reject' in this context.
Match the situation with the correct action. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Turn it down, 2-Turn it down, 3-Turn the heater up
You turn down volume and bad offers.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Did you get the job? B: Yes, but I ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: turned it down
The speaker rejected the job offer.
Is the object placement correct or incorrect? Grammar Sorting

'Turn down the volume' vs 'Turn down it'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Correct / Incorrect
Nouns can go at the end, but pronouns cannot.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Building

down / turned / she / him

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She turned him down.
Subject + Verb + Pronoun Object + Particle.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'turn down'.

The music is too loud. Please ___ it ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: turn / down
We use the base form for an imperative (command).
Which sentence is grammatically correct? Multiple Choice

Select the correct option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I turned it down.
Pronouns must go in the middle of separable phrasal verbs.
Fix the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

He turned down to the job offer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He turned down the job offer.
'Turn down' does not take the preposition 'to'.
Change the sentence to use 'turn down'. Sentence Transformation

She rejected the invitation.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She turned down the invitation.
'Turn down' is a synonym for 'reject' in this context.
Match the situation with the correct action. Match Pairs

1. Radio is loud, 2. Job offer is bad, 3. Room is cold

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Turn it down, 2-Turn it down, 3-Turn the heater up
You turn down volume and bad offers.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Did you get the job? B: Yes, but I ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: turned it down
The speaker rejected the job offer.
Is the object placement correct or incorrect? Grammar Sorting

'Turn down the volume' vs 'Turn down it'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Correct / Incorrect
Nouns can go at the end, but pronouns cannot.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Building

down / turned / she / him

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She turned him down.
Subject + Verb + Pronoun Object + Particle.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'turn down'. Fill in the Blank

The barista asked if I wanted to ___ the music in the cafe.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: turn down
Identify and correct the mistake. Error Correction

My boss asked me to turn down him politely.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: My boss asked me to turn him down politely.
Select the sentence where 'turn down' means to decrease intensity. Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She managed to turn down the enthusiasm.
Translate into English: 'Você pode abaixar o volume do jogo?' Translation

Translate into English: 'Você pode abaixar o volume do jogo?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Can you turn down the game volume?","Can you turn the game volume down?"]
Put the words in order to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please turn the AC down
Match the beginning of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

Match the beginnings with their correct endings:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the best phrasal verb to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

My phone battery was low, so I had to ___ the screen brightness.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: turn down
Correct the grammar in the sentence. Error Correction

They couldn't accept the invitation, so they turn it down.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They couldn't accept the invitation, so they turned it down.
Which sentence correctly expresses a refusal? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The company turned down my application for the internship.
Translate the sentence into natural English. Translation

Translate into English: 'É importante recusar as distrações para se concentrar.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["It's important to turn down distractions to focus.","It's important to turn distractions down to focus."]
Unscramble the words to make a meaningful sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I need to turn down the volume of the music
Connect the action with its appropriate object for 'turn down'. Match Pairs

Match the actions with their objects:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

No, you cannot. When the object is a pronoun like `it`, `them`, `him`, or `her`, it must go between `turn` and `down`. Always say `turn it down`.

Yes, it is a neutral and polite way to refuse something. However, adding 'I'm sorry' or 'I'm afraid' makes it even more polite in social situations.

`Turn down` means to lower the level (like volume 5 to volume 2). `Turn off` means to stop the device completely (volume 0).

Yes, but it means you are rejecting their romantic interest or their request/offer. It doesn't mean you are physically lowering them!

Absolutely. It is the standard way to describe declining a job offer, a contract proposal, or a business request.

Yes. You can `turn down the heater` or `turn down the oven` if it is too hot.

It is a luxury service where hotel staff enter your room in the evening to fold back the bed covers and prepare the room for sleep.

It is neutral. It is perfectly acceptable in both a casual conversation with a friend and a formal email to a recruiter.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish low

Bajar / Rechazar

Spanish lacks the 'verb + particle' structure.

French low

Baisser / Refuser

French verbs are not separable like English phrasal verbs.

German moderate

Leiser machen / Ablehnen

The prefix goes to the very end of the sentence in German.

Japanese none

Sageru (下げ) / Kotowaru (断る)

Japanese relies on particles like 'o' and 'ni' rather than phrasal particles like 'down'.

Arabic low

خفض (khafada) / رفض (rafada)

Arabic verbs conjugate internally and do not use separate particles for these meanings.

Chinese low

Tiáo dī (调低) / Jùjué (拒绝)

Chinese uses resultative verb compounds rather than phrasal verbs.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
How to use 'Catch Up' (Phrasal Verb)
Next
Meeting by Surprise (Run into)

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