The lamp turns on - Intransitive

Question

Hi there,can the phrasal verbs "turn on" and "turn off" be used intransitively? My dictionaries don't seem to mention that usage. Example:The lamp turned on by itself! There must be a ghost!I even unplugged it, and yet the TV wouldn't turn off! That was spooky...Just push the red button on the remote and the heater turns off in a few seconds. Or is it more common to use other verbs, like "come on" and "go on/off"? Thanks.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

If it's natural, these days we say, turns on/off automatically. If it's supernatural, we say, "by itself."

Edit. "Goes on/off automatically/ by itself" is cool.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

can the phrasal verbs "turn on" and "turn off" be used intransitively? Yes, at least informally.
My dictionaries don't seem to mention that usage. Example:

The lamp turned on by itself! There must be a ghost!
I even unplugged it, and yet the TV wouldn't turn off! That was spooky...
Just push the red button on the remote and the heater turns off in a few seconds.

Or is it more common to use other verbs, like "come on" and "go on/off"? Yes, it probably is.
If you say 'The TV won't turn off', it sounds to me a little bit like there is something wrong more specifically with the 'on/off' switch or button.

Clive

Kooyeen · Answer

Ok, I see. Thanks. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

CalifJim · Answer

Kooyeencan the phrasal verbs "turn on" and "turn off" be used intransitively? My dictionaries don't seem to mention that usage.

What!!! Time to buy a new dictionary!

See www.m-w.com. ( intrans. to become turned on )

Of course you can use those intransitively -- turn on, turn off, come on, go off.

My automatic porch light never comes/goes/turns on when it's supposed to. I need to fix it.

CJ

Kooyeen · Answer

CalifJimTime to buy a new dictionary! See www.m-w.com. ( intrans. to become turned on )

Darn! I always use MW, I have it on my pc too, but for some reason I looked up "turn" and tried to find a definition there, and I didn't think there was an entry for "turn on" too. [A] So I just checked, and you are right - intransitive verb : to become turned on.
l need to use MW quite a lot, because I realized that even the best dictionaries for learners are quite limiting. They are good for collocations and patterns, but a lot of secondary meanings are missing, along with very advanced vocabulary (mainly technical vocabulary). MW is an excellent one, I always find everything. I usually use it just to check the pronunciation though.
Anyway, thanks.

The lamp turns on - Intransitive

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