Phrasal verb TURN. Confusing words

Hello, guys!

In today’s lesson we’re going to look at phrasal verb TURN and some confusing words.

Let’s start with the phrasal verb TURN.

Phrasal verbs are very common in spoken and written English. So we need them to understand and speak natural English.

Phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb; the combination creates a meaning different from the original verb.

The verbs with “turn” are quite popular in English language.

In its primary meaning the phrasal verb “turn” is translated as «поворачивать».

But if it is used with the prepositions, it has a completely different meaning and some of them have more than one. So let’s consider some of them.
TURN AWAY = refuse service or entrance

We tried to enter the restaurant but the security turned us away, because we didn't have on shoes.

The crowds of fans were turned away from the celebrity’s car by the police.

TURN AROUND/ROUND = to change position or direction so as to face the other way.

Turn around once or twice so I can see your dress.

TURN BACK — turn around and move in the opposite direction.

There was a traffic jam on the road so we decided to turn back.

TURN DOWN

A. refuse an offer or application

He turned down the dessert as he had already eaten too much.

B. reduce volume
Turn down the TV. I'm trying to talk on the phone.

The opposite of TURN DOWN is TURN UP = increase volume.

Turn up the radio. I really like this new song.

TURN IN

A. submit something

You need to turn in your homework every day.

B. go to bed
Did you see the news last night? No, I turned in early.
TURN INTO = to change into something different, transform.
She kissed the frog, and it turned into a handsome prince.

Caterpillars turn into butterflies.
TURN ON = to start a machine or device.
Turn on the TV. It's time for the news.
My father is terrible with computers. He can't even turn one on!

The opposite of TURN ON is TURN OFF = to stop a machine or device from working/performing.
Don't forget to turn off the TV before you go to school.
TURN OUT = to result; end up
I looked for my keys all over the house. It turned out they were in my jacket pocket all along.
She turned out a brilliant cook.

TURN OVER = to invert

Cook the pancakes for 3 minutes on one side, then turn them over.

TURN TO = turn to someone for help.

I could not cope with the problem so I had to turn to my friend, who was an expert in computers.

The English language has a few words that appear so similar that it's hard to tell the difference.

In this part of our lesson, we will cover some confusing words.

habit / custom / tradition

Habit: something which a person does so often that he does it without thinking about it – привычка

Picking your nose is an awful habit.

She has a habit of finishing off other people's sentences.      

Custom: a way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time – обычай

It is our custom to give presents on Christmas Day.

In my country, it's the custom (for women) to get married in white.

Tradition: a belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time – традиция, обычай.

We must keep up the family traditions.

This tradition dates back to medieval times.

spectators / audience / crowd

Spectator: a person who watches an activity, especially a sports event, without taking part – зрители.

They won 4–0 in front of over 40,000 cheering spectators.

Audience: the group of people together in one place to watch or listen to a play, film, someone speaking, etc. – аудитория.

The audience clapped and cheered when she stood up to speak.

Crowd: a large group of people who have come together – толпа.

In her bright yellow coat, she was easily identifiable in the crowd.

allow / let / make

Allow: to give permission for someone to do something or to not prevent something from happening – разрешать, позволять.

You're not allowed to talk during the exam.

At the weekend I allow myself a box of chocolates.

Let: to allow something to happen or someone to do something by not doing anything to stop an action or by giving your permission. In the active voice, we use it with an infinitive without TO:

She wanted to go but her parents wouldn't let her.

ALLOW is more formal than LET.

Make: we can use MAKE meaning ‘force someone (to do something)’.

You can't make him go if he doesn't want to.

luck / chance / opportunity

Luck: the force that causes things, especially good things, to happen to you by chance and not as a result of your own efforts or abilities – удача.

She wears a charm that she thinks brings her good luck.

Chance: an unexpected occasion that allows something to be done – шанс, случай.

He left and I missed my chance to say goodbye to him.

Opportunity: a predictable occasion or situation that makes it possible to do something that you want to do or have to do, or the possibility of doing something – возможность.

His work provided him with the opportunity for a lot of foreign travel.

That`s all for today.

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