The phrase "were turned by" consists of the past tense verb "were" and the past participle "turned." The phonetic transcription of "were" is /wɜːr/, and the transcription of "turned" is /tɜːrnd/. The /w/ sound in "were" is pronounced by rounding the lips and pushing out a breath from the throat. The /t/ and /d/ sounds in "turned" are dental consonants, produced by touching the tongue to the teeth. The /r/ sound in both words is a voiced alveolar approximant, created by slightly raising the tongue.
"Was turned by" is a phrasal verb which means to be influenced, impacted, or swayed by someone or something, causing a change of perspective, opinion, or direction. The verb "turned" in this context signifies a transformation or alteration in one's thoughts, beliefs, or actions.
When someone or something "was turned by," it indicates that they were persuaded, convinced, or affected to adopt a different viewpoint, shift their stance, or change their course of action. This phrase often implies a significant change or redirection from a previous position or mindset. The influencing factor could be a person, an event, an idea, or a situation that had a compelling effect and caused a shift in perception or behavior.
The phrase "were turned by" can be used in various scenarios. For instance, it could describe a group of individuals who were initially against a particular policy but were eventually convinced and changed their minds due to some persuasive arguments or new information. It can also refer to a situation where a person's opinion or perception was altered as a result of experiencing something impactful or having a transformative encounter with someone.
In summary, "were turned by" conveys the idea of being influenced, swayed, or convinced resulting in a change of mindset, opinion, or direction. It highlights the transformative power of external factors that reshape one's perspectives and decisions.