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turn to

B1 neutral inseparable transitive

To seek help or comfort from someone, or to start doing something different.

In plain English

Go to someone for help, or start doing a new thing.

What does "turn to" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 neutral

To go to someone for help, support, or advice.

"When she felt overwhelmed, she turned to her older sister for advice."

You can turn to us in times of trouble.

— Common pastoral and political expression; widely attributed in speeches
inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To begin doing something, especially a new activity or lifestyle, often after a change of circumstances.

"After losing his job, he turned to painting as a way to cope."

Many of those who had turned to alcohol and drugs to self-medicate.

— Common journalistic/clinical usage
inseparable
3 B1 formal

To direct attention or discussion to a new topic.

"Now let's turn to the second point on the agenda."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To rotate one's body so as to face a particular person or direction.

Actually means

Go to someone for help, or start doing a new thing.

Usage tip

Very versatile phrasal verb. When followed by a person, it expresses seeking support. When followed by an activity or subject, it expresses a change of focus. Common in both spoken and written English.

Words that pair with "turn to"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

friend drink drugs religion page topic

How to conjugate "turn to"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
turn to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
turns to
he/she/it
Past simple
turned to
yesterday
Past participle
turned to
have + pp
-ing form
turning to
continuous

Hear "turn to" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "turn to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "turn to"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

appeal to look to rely on resort to seek out switch to

Keep exploring

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