Meaning
- To activate or switch something on.
- To start the flow of something.
- To suddenly attack or become hostile toward someone.
- To stimulate strong interest, enthusiasm, or attraction.
- To inspire or motivate someone.
Today's Sentences
01
It’s such a turn on.
Situation
I love when you do that, it’s such a turn on.
What am I doing?
It’s the way you light up when you talk about things you love.
Well, I love telling you about anything and everything.
02
Did you turn on the coffee machine?
Situation
Did you turn on the coffee machine?
I did but it turned itself off again.
Gosh, even the coffee machine refuses to work on Mondays.
Honestly, I can't function without coffee even on a good day.
Writer's Note
"Turn on" is a transitive, intransitive, separable, and inseparable phrasal verb.
- Transitive - verbs that require a direct object in order to complete its meaning.
Structure: "Verb + Particle + Object"
Example 1: Stress can make people turn on each other.
Example 2: The crowd turned on the referee after the bad call.
Example 3: Her confidence definitely turns me on. - Intransitive - verbs that do not require an object to complete its meaning.
Structure: "Subject + Verb + Particle"
Example 1: The engine turned on by itself.
Example 2: The sprinklers turned on right at noon.
Example 3: The alarm turned on unexpectedly. - Separable - when an object can come between the verb and particle or after the particle. Structure: "Verb + Object + Particle"
Example 1: Turn the lights on before you read.
Example 2: He turned the music on to set the mood.
Example 3: Please turn the heater on, it’s freezing in here. - Inseparable - when the verb and particle stay together.
Structure: "Verb + Particle + Object"
Example 1: The crown turned on the performer when the microphones failed.
Example 2: His honesty turns on a lot of people because it feels genuine.
Example 3: The group turned on their leader after they learned the truth.
Related Words: Activate, arouse, awaken, energize, excite, ignite, initiate, inspire, power up, stimulate, switch on