"Turn on" vs "Turn-on"

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pdpi - 30 Jun 2009 15:37 GMT

Hello folks,

My girlfriend asked me this question, and I'm having a little trouble
providing a solid answer: What is the correct usage of "turn on" as a
noun (as in, something that arouses you)? "Turn on" or "turn-on"?

Consistency with the verb form leads me to favour "turn on", but I
can't find any authoritative reference for either (plus most google
results are, fittingly, informal enough that I wouldn't trust them).

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HVS - 30 Jun 2009 15:48 GMT

On 30 Jun 2009, pdpi wrote

> Hello folks,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Consistency with the verb form leads me to favour "turn on",

I don't see why consistency is desirable between the verb and noun
forms. A follow-through is what you've done if you follow through
with a throw; same principle.

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Cheers, Harvey
CanEng and BrEng, indiscriminately mixed

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James Hogg - 30 Jun 2009 15:49 GMT

Quoth pdpi <pdpinheiro@gmail.com>, and I quote:

>Hello folks,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>can't find any authoritative reference for either (plus most google
>results are, fittingly, informal enough that I wouldn't trust them).

Consistency with the verb becomes irrelevant when you turn a
phrase like this into a noun. It has to become one word, thus
"turn-on". Compare nouns like "lookout/look-out,
kick-back/kickback, foul-up, standby, breakthrough".

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James

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pdpi - 30 Jun 2009 16:04 GMT

> Quoth pdpi <pdpinhe...@gmail.com>, and I quote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> --
> James

Well, that makes sense.

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / June 2009

"Turn on" vs "Turn-on"