Understanding ‘Turn into’: Definition and Explanation
The phrasal verb ‘turn into’ is a versatile and commonly used expression in English. It generally means to change or transform from one thing or state to another. This phrasal verb is particularly important for IELTS candidates as it allows them to express changes and transformations effectively, a concept that often appears in various parts of the test.
Key Meanings:
- To change or transform into something else
- To become (often unexpectedly or suddenly)
Synonyms: transform, metamorphose, convert, change
Contextual Usage of ‘Turn into’
‘Turn into’ can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a valuable addition to your IELTS vocabulary. Here are some examples:
- Formal: “The caterpillar turns into a butterfly through metamorphosis.”
- Informal: “The party turned into a disaster when the cake fell on the floor.”
- Writing: “Over time, the small village turned into a bustling city.”
- Speaking: “My hobby of painting has turned into a successful career.”
Grammar Analysis
‘Turn into’ is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning that ‘turn’ and ‘into’ cannot be separated by other words. The basic structure is:
Subject + turn into + object
For example: “Water turns into ice at 0°C.”
It’s important to note that ‘turn into’ is always followed by a noun or noun phrase, never an adjective.
Application in IELTS
Speaking Section
In the IELTS Speaking test, ‘turn into’ can be effectively used to describe changes or transformations in various contexts. For example:
Question: “How has your hometown changed over the years?”
Sample Answer: “My hometown has turned into a major tourist destination. What was once a quiet fishing village has now turned into a bustling resort town with numerous hotels and restaurants.”
Writing Section
In IELTS Writing tasks, ‘turn into’ can add sophistication to your essays. It’s particularly useful in Task 2 when discussing changes or developments over time.
Example: “If not managed properly, urban development can turn into a significant environmental problem.”
Remember to use this phrasal verb judiciously in formal writing, as it may be considered slightly informal in some contexts.
Related Phrasal Verbs
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Turn up (tɜːn ʌp): To appear or arrive unexpectedly
Example: “He turned up at the party without an invitation.” -
Turn down (tɜːn daʊn): To reject or refuse
Example: “She turned down the job offer because the salary was too low.” -
Turn out (tɜːn aʊt): To prove to be in the end; to result
Example: “The event turned out to be a great success.” -
Turn over (tɜːn ˈəʊvə): To give control to someone else
Example: “The company was turned over to new management.” -
Turn around (tɜːn əˈraʊnd): To completely change direction or attitude
Example: “The new CEO turned the failing company around in just one year.”
Practice Exercises
Fill in the Blanks
- The ugly duckling eventually ___ into a beautiful swan.
- If not careful, a small argument can quickly ___ into a major conflict.
- The company hopes to ___ this opportunity into a profitable venture.
- As the sun set, the sky ___ into a canvas of vibrant colors.
- With practice, her weakness in math ___ into her strongest subject.
- The caterpillar will soon ___ into a butterfly.
- The friendly gathering suddenly ___ into a heated debate.
- Scientists are working on technology to ___ seawater into drinking water.
- Over time, their friendship ___ into a romantic relationship.
- The old warehouse has been ___ into a trendy art gallery.
Sentence Transformation
-
Original: The scientist changed the liquid to a solid.
Rewrite: The scientist the liquid a solid. -
Original: What started as a hobby became her profession.
Rewrite: Her hobby her profession. -
Original: The peaceful protest unexpectedly became violent.
Rewrite: The peaceful protest unexpectedly a violent confrontation. -
Original: The small startup grew to be a multinational corporation.
Rewrite: The small startup a multinational corporation. -
Original: The caterpillar transformed into a butterfly.
Rewrite: The caterpillar a butterfly. -
Original: The quiet village became a bustling tourist destination.
Rewrite: The quiet village a bustling tourist destination. -
Original: Her anger transformed into understanding after she heard the explanation.
Rewrite: Her anger understanding after she heard the explanation. -
Original: The company converted its factory to produce electric cars.
Rewrite: The company its factory an electric car production facility. -
Original: The local club evolved into a national organization.
Rewrite: The local club a national organization. -
Original: The novelist adapted her book into a screenplay.
Rewrite: The novelist her book a screenplay.
Answers and Explanations
Fill in the Blanks:
- turned into
- turn into
- turn into
- turned into
- turned into
- turn into
- turned into
- turn into
- turned into
- turned into
Explanation: In all these sentences, ‘turn into’ is used to describe a transformation or change from one state to another.
Sentence Transformation:
- The scientist turned the liquid into a solid.
- Her hobby turned into her profession.
- The peaceful protest unexpectedly turned into a violent confrontation.
- The small startup turned into a multinational corporation.
- The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
- The quiet village turned into a bustling tourist destination.
- Her anger turned into understanding after she heard the explanation.
- The company turned its factory into an electric car production facility.
- The local club turned into a national organization.
- The novelist turned her book into a screenplay.
Explanation: In each sentence, we’ve replaced the verbs indicating change or transformation (such as ‘changed’, ‘became’, ‘grew’, ‘transformed’, etc.) with the phrasal verb ‘turn into’ to express the same meaning more concisely.
Memory Tips
- Visualize the transformation: Picture a physical object changing shape or form when you use ‘turn into’.
- Think of fairy tales: Many stories involve transformations (e.g., Cinderella’s pumpkin turning into a carriage).
- Use a mnemonic: “Things In Nature Transform” (TINT) – the first letters spell out ‘TINT’, reminding you of ‘turn into’.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
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Mistake: Using ‘turn to’ instead of ‘turn into’.
Correct: The witch turned the prince into a frog. (Not: The witch turned the prince to a frog.) -
Mistake: Separating ‘turn’ and ‘into’.
Correct: The water turned into ice. (Not: The water turned quickly into ice.) -
Mistake: Using an adjective after ‘turn into’.
Correct: The situation turned into a disaster. (Not: The situation turned into disastrous.) -
Mistake: Overusing ‘turn into’ in formal writing.
Solution: In very formal contexts, consider using synonyms like ‘transform’, ‘convert’, or ‘evolve’ occasionally.
To use ‘turn into’ effectively in IELTS, practice incorporating it naturally into your speaking and writing. Use it to describe changes in your life, your hometown, or global issues. Remember, while it’s a useful phrasal verb, it shouldn’t be overused. Balance it with other vocabulary to demonstrate your language range.
Conclusion
Mastering the phrasal verb ‘turn into’ can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS test. It allows you to express transformations and changes clearly and concisely, which is valuable across all sections of the exam. Remember to use it in context, practice with the exercises provided, and be mindful of common mistakes. By incorporating ‘turn into’ into your active vocabulary, you’ll be better equipped to handle a variety of topics in both the speaking and writing sections of IELTS.
To further improve your IELTS performance, consider exploring other important phrasal verbs and expressions. For instance, understanding how to use ‘to the contrary’ can help you express contrasting ideas effectively. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with related phrasal verbs like ‘turn up’ and ‘turn down’ will expand your vocabulary range and improve your overall fluency in English.