turning
B1Neutral/Formal
Definition
Meaning
The action of changing direction or position; the act of moving something so that its orientation changes.
A point where a road branches off; a point at which a change occurs or a new development begins; the process of shaping material on a lathe.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Turning" is a verbal noun and gerund, heavily dependent on context to determine its specific sense: directional change, road branch, developmental change, or industrial process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
BrE more commonly uses "turning" to refer to a side road or small junction (e.g., 'second turning on the left'). In AmE, 'turn' is more typical for this meaning (e.g., 'take the second left turn'). In mechanical/industrial contexts, both varieties use "turning" to refer to lathe work.
Connotations
In BrE, "turning" can have a quaint, rural connotation when referring to lanes. In both varieties, "a turning point" carries the same metaphorical weight for a decisive moment.
Frequency
"Turning" as a road term is markedly more frequent in BrE. The verbal noun ("the turning of the page") is equally common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
turning [of NP] (the turning of the key)[NP] turning ([object] turning)turning [into NP] (turning into a disaster)turning [NP] [Adj] (turning the sky pink)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “turning over a new leaf”
- “turning the tables”
- “turning a blind eye”
- “turning point”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to pivotal moments in strategy or financial performance: 'The new product launch was a turning point for the company.'
Academic
Used in historical/social analysis to denote paradigm shifts: 'The invention of the printing press was a major turning point in human communication.'
Everyday
Primarily used for road directions and personal changes: 'Take the next turning. He's turning forty next week.'
Technical
Refers to the machining process on a lathe: 'Precision turning requires a steady hand and calibrated tools.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He is turning the handle slowly.
- The weather is turning colder.
- She will be turning thirty soon.
American English
- He's turning the doorknob.
- The leaves are turning red.
- She turned the project over to her colleague.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb. Typically part of a phrasal verb or compound.)
American English
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb. Typically part of a phrasal verb or compound.)
adjective
British English
- The turning tide revealed the shipwreck.
- He waited at the turning lane.
American English
- The turning point came unexpectedly.
- They installed a new turning mechanism.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Take the first turning on the right.
- The car is turning left.
- The milk is turning sour.
- We missed the turning and had to go back.
- His illness was a turning point in his life.
- The key wouldn't fit, so I tried turning it the other way.
- The political landscape is undergoing a significant turning.
- Precision turning of the components is essential for the engine's performance.
- She accused him of turning a simple mistake into a major crisis.
- The turning of public opinion against the regime was swift and decisive.
- The novel explores the protagonist's moral turning as he grapples with power.
- Historical turning points are often only visible in retrospect.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a signpost at a road TURNING, pointing in a new direction. The signpost itself is TURNING in the wind. This combines the two main ideas: change of direction and the physical act.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE OF DIRECTION IS A TURNING (e.g., 'a turning in his career'); DECISIVE MOMENTS ARE TURNING POINTS; BECOMING IS TURNING INTO (e.g., 'turning into a nightmare').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating Russian "поворот" as "turning" in all road contexts; 'turn' or 'junction' is often better in AmE. "Turning" as a gerund ("I like his turning of the phrase") is difficult to translate directly and may require a noun or infinitive construction in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'turning' as a countable noun for every instance of a turn (e.g., 'Make a turning here' – awkward in AmE). Confusing 'turning' (the act/place) with 'turn' (the individual instance).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'turning' MOST specific to British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
"Turning" is primarily the '-ing' form (gerund or present participle) of the verb 'turn,' functioning as a verbal noun (e.g., 'The turning of the wheel'). It is also a standalone noun (e.g., 'a road turning').
A 'turn' is the act or instance of changing direction ('Make a left turn'). A 'turning' often refers to the place where such a change happens, like a side road or junction, especially in BrE ('It's the next turning'). 'Turning' also implies the process or action over time ('the turning of the seasons').
Yes, especially in the idiom 'turning point,' which signifies a positive change or decisive moment leading to improvement. 'Turning over a new leaf' also implies a positive, fresh start.
Yes. In engineering and manufacturing, 'turning' is a fundamental machining process performed on a lathe. In driving instruction (particularly BrE), it's used for road navigation. In narrative and historical analysis, 'turning point' is a key term.