← Back to Phrasal Verbs
Separable Object can go in the middle or after: "turn it on" or "turn on the light"
Inseparable Object always goes after the particle — never in the middle.
Intransitive No object needed — the verb stands alone.
Phrasal verbs with TURN
turn onSeparable
To activate or start a device, machine, or light.
"Turn on the lights — it's getting dark in here."
turn offSeparable
To deactivate or stop a device, machine, or light.
"Please turn off the TV before you go to bed."
turn upSeparable
To increase the volume or level of something; to arrive unexpectedly or without notice.
"Turn up the music!" / "He turned up at the party without an invitation."
turn downSeparable
To decrease the volume or level; to reject or refuse an offer, request, or person.
"She turned down the job offer because the salary was too low."
turn intoInseparable
To change or transform into something completely different.
"The rainy season turned the dirt road into a muddy river."
turn aroundIntransitive
To face or move in the opposite direction; to improve a difficult situation.
"The company turned things around after a change in leadership."
turn outIntransitive
To result in a particular way; to be discovered to be true in the end.
"The exam turned out to be much easier than we expected."
turn inSeparable
To submit work, a document, or an assignment; to go to bed (informal).
"Make sure you turn in your homework before Friday."
turn backIntransitive
To return in the direction you came from; to give up and go back.
"The hikers had to turn back because of the heavy rain."
turn overSeparable
To flip something to the other side; to hand control or responsibility to someone else.
"He turned over the company to his daughter when he retired."
⚠️ "Turn on" and "Turn off" with pronouns — word order matters!
✓ "Turn it on." / "Turn on the light." → Both correct (separable verb)
✗ "Turn on it." → WRONG — when using a pronoun, it MUST go in the middle.
Rule: With a pronoun (it, them, him, her), always place it between the verb and particle.
Reading: The Restaurant That Turned Things Around
📖 The Restaurant That Turned Things Around
"La Esquina" was a small family restaurant in Cartago that had been struggling for two years. Several investors had asked to redesign everything, but Don Roberto turned them down every time. "This place will not turn into something we're not," he said firmly.
His daughter Laura decided to help. One evening, a famous food blogger turned up without warning and ordered dinner. Laura panicked — she quickly turned off the television in the corner, turned down the background music, and focused entirely on making every dish perfect.
The blogger's review was glowing. Customers began turning up in large numbers. The restaurant's situation started to turn around. Don Roberto turned on warm new lights in the dining area to make the atmosphere more welcoming.
He then turned over the social media accounts to Laura. She worked late every night but turned in satisfied, knowing things were improving. Don Roberto had nearly turned back from the whole plan several times, doubting himself.
But everything turned out wonderfully. "I almost gave up," he admitted. "But I'm so glad I didn't."
Reading comprehension — 10 questions
