0
Rummycove Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Turn off vs. turn itself off

I always thought that, f. ex. "The lamp will turn itself off automatically after a few minutes" is correct and "The lamp will turn off automatically after a few minutes" is not, but there are many, many more googlits for the latter. Was I wrong all the time?
  

Top answer

I am an American English speaker. I think "turn itself off automatically" is not used, because it implies that the lamp can physically reach over to its own switch, and flip it off. " etc.

— Anonymous

  • I am an American English speaker.
  • I think "turn itself off automatically" is not used, because it implies that the lamp can physically reach over to its own switch, and flip it off.
  • " etc.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
I am an American English speaker. I think "turn itself off automatically" is not used, because it implies that the lamp can physically reach over to its own switch, and flip it off. I think only a person/animal/robot can "turn itself off."

It is much more common to say "the lamp will turn off automatically," "the stove turned on this morning for no reason!" etc.
0
0
Hi,



I hear both versions.

Neither sounds wrong to me.



Clive
0
0
Thank you for the reply!
0
0
Thank you for the reply!
0

Related Questions