Meaning trap

turn out

assemble for protest

to gather or come together in public, especially for a demonstration or protest, often to express support or opposition to a cause.

phrasal verbC1occasional

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

assemble for protest

to gather or come together in public, especially for a demonstration or protest, often to express support or opposition to a cause.

turn out (prove to be)

'turn out' also has the more basic meaning 'prove to be'; this is the advanced sense.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

Thousands of citizens turned out to protest against the new legislation.society
In recent years, more young people have turned out to demonstrate for climate action, reflecting a growing sense of social responsibility.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: turn out (for/to do something)

WrongThousands turned out for protest.

RightThousands turned out to protest.

'Turn out TO + verb', or 'turn out FOR + the event' (the march, the rally).

Patternturn out (for/to do something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Thousands of citizens assembled to demonstrate against the law.

Natural Thousands turned out to protest the law.

'Turn out' is the natural verb for crowds showing up; 'assembled to demonstrate' is formal.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

turn out + numbers
in their thousandsto votefor the marchin force

Don't confuse it

Unlike the B2 sense 'attend an event', this sense specifically refers to people assembling in public for a protest, rally, or demonstration, often with a political or social purpose.

turn out (prove to be) — 'turn out' also has the more basic meaning 'prove to be'; this is the advanced sense.

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