by turns，in turn

如同 by name和 in name 參閱該節)一樣，這一對短語也不是同義語。 by turns的意思是“輪流地”、“交替地”、“忽而…忽而…”( one after another; alternately or in rotation);in turn的意思是“依次相繼地”(each in due succession)。例：

We read the poem by turns.

我們輪流讀這首詩。

They sang songs by turns

他們輪流唱歌。

He grew pale and red by turns.

他的臉一會兒紅一會兒白。

We sang the song in turn.

我們依照次序唱歌。

We were summoned in turn to see the judge.

法宮依次召見我們。

跟by turns同義是 take turns，但二者語法不同。前者是副詞片語，作狀語用，后者為動詞片語。例：

The classes visited the exhibition by turns.

The classes took turns to visit the exhibition.

各班學生輪流參觀展覽。

請注意，on the turn的意思則是“正在變化(轉變)中”。例如：

The bullish stock market is on the turn

股票牛市開始變了。