Word Usage

Mary W. Ng

June 26, 2009

turnout, turn out

Turnout is a noun meaning “the number of people who are present at an event”. Turn out is a phrasal verb meaning “to have a particular result”.

Incorrect:Recognizing the large number of pet owners in the area, she anticipates a large turn out.
Correct:Recognizing the large number of pet owners in the area, she anticipates a large turnout.
Incorrect:It turnout that he had betrayed our trust.
Correct:It turned out that he had betrayed our trust.