turn on

make a machine or light start working

A2

What does "turn sth on" mean?

Use 'turn on' when you want a piece of equipment to start working, or when you open a supply of water, gas, or electricity so it starts flowing. It is one of the most common and useful phrases in everyday English — you will hear it in homes, offices, and shops all the time. For example, you might turn on the lights when you enter a dark room, or turn on the oven before you start cooking. The phrase works with almost any electrical device or appliance, and also with supplies like water or heating. It is the normal, everyday way to talk about making these things start.

Examples

How to use it

turn on + device/supply

The most common pattern — use it when the object is a noun phrase like 'the light' or 'the heating'.

Can you turn on the oven? I need to preheat it.

turn + device/supply + on

The object can also go between 'turn' and 'on' — both positions are natural with short noun phrases.

She turned the heating on before the guests arrived.

turn + pronoun + on

When the object is a pronoun (it, them), it must go between 'turn' and 'on' — this is not optional.

The fan is right there — can you turn it on, please?

be turned on

The passive form is natural, especially in instructions or when describing something that starts automatically.

The alarm is turned on every night at ten o'clock.

modal + turn on + device/supply

Modal verbs like 'can', 'could', 'need to', and 'should' are very commonly used before 'turn on'.

You should turn on the air conditioning — it's really hot in here.

Common Collocations

turn on the lightturn on the TVturn on the heatingturn on the tapturn on the computerturn on the oven

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'turn' and 'on'. Putting the pronoun after 'on' is incorrect.

✗ Can you turn on it?
✓ Can you turn it on?
Using 'put on' for devices

'Put on' is mainly used with media (like music or a film) and clothing, but 'turn on' is the right choice for electrical devices and supplies like water or gas. Be careful not to mix them up with appliances.

✗ Can you put on the tap so I can wash my hands?
✓ Can you turn on the tap so I can wash my hands?
Separating with a long noun phrase

When the object is a long phrase, it sounds more natural to keep 'turn on' together and put the object after 'on'.

✗ She turned the brand new washing machine her parents bought her on.
✓ She turned on the brand new washing machine her parents bought her.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and used in all situations, from casual conversation to written instructions. 'Switch on' means exactly the same thing and is slightly more common in British English, but 'turn on' is understood everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'turn on' always mean starting a device? I've heard it used in other ways.

No, 'turn on' has more than one meaning in English. This entry covers only the meaning of starting a device or opening a supply (like water or gas). The other meanings are quite different and depend on context — but when the object is a device or appliance, this is always the meaning.

What kinds of things can I 'turn on'?

You can use 'turn on' with almost any electrical device or appliance — for example, the TV, the computer, the oven, the kettle, or the shower. You can also use it with supplies like water, gas, electricity, and heating. It does not usually work with clothing or media like music — use 'put on' for those instead.

Is 'switch on' the same as 'turn on'?

Yes, 'switch on' means exactly the same thing and you can use either one. 'Switch on' is slightly more common in British English, but 'turn on' is understood everywhere and is used all over the world.

Can I say 'I am turning on the TV' or is that wrong?

It sounds a little unusual in most situations because 'turn on' describes a quick action, not something that takes a long time. It is more natural to say 'I'm going to turn on the TV' or 'I turned on the TV'. The continuous form is possible only if you want to stress that the action is happening right now at that exact moment.

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