In turn means one after another, or as the next step in a chain. Each visitor in turn chose a photograph. The longer route increased fuel use, which in turn raised delivery costs. Next to each, it's about taking turns; next to which, it's a chain of causes.
How would you use in turn?
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each person / item in turn; a change which in turn causes another change
- The guide asked each visitor in turn to choose a photograph.
- The longer route increased fuel use, which in turn raised delivery costs.
- We examined the three proposals in turn before choosing one.
What changed
First versionWe tested each microphone by turn before the recording.
RevisionWe tested each microphone in turn before the recording.
By shows up in step by step and one by one, so it seems right here too: by turn. But for taking turns, English uses in: each microphone in turn.
Take turns means 'do something one after another', about people: We took turns driving. In turn works for both people and things: We examined the proposals in turn. In return means 'in exchange': She helped me, and in return I cooked dinner.
Your turn
Extra sunlight warmed the room, which ___ reduced the need for heating.
Show the answer
in turn — The sunlight warmed the room, and that then reduced the heating: a chain, so in turn. In return would mean 'in exchange'.
Describe a chain of events from your life: one change led to another. Use which in turn.
The clearer instructions reduced questions, which in turn shortened the meeting.
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