turn into or become
To translate this sentence "para convertir un nombre en adjetivo" into English, I am not sure if I can do it by means of two ways:
A. to turn a noun into an adjective.
B. to become a noun in an adjetive.
Is it possible this last sentence? Is there any more way to translate it?
I would like to know your answers.
14 Answers
And "change into" and "convert into" sound as if they were similar to "turn into".
It might make more sense if you were to say it
Change one substance into another
Convert one substance into another
Turn one substance into another
since convertir and convert are cognates that have retained the same meaning in both languages I would suggest translating it as :
...converting a noun into an adjective
...converting an adjective into a noun
Which is used more? sustantivo o nombre for noun?
Then, can "grow to be" and "make" be used instead of "turn into"?. If it is possible, I would like to have the examples with both of them.
They sound weird for me, but they appear as synonymous in my dictionary. And I cannot find any example.
I think Moe explained the reasoning behind when or when these terms can by synonymous (when dealing with living entities) here are a few example sentences to demonstrate when they would be interchangeable.
That boy is going to grow to be/make/turn into a fine adult.
With a little bit of water and some good weather the tomato seeds we planted will grow to be/make/turn into very productive plants
Thank you.
Sorry, if I look up any of these words in the dictionary I can find this:
to base sth ON o UPON sth ‹ opinion / conclusion › basar or fundamentar algo EN algo;
the film is based on a real event
la película se basa or está basada en una historia real
exchange2 vt a (give in place of) to exchange sth FOR sth cambiar algo POR algo;
can I exchange this for a larger size?
¿puedo cambiar esto por una talla más grande?;
where can we exchange dollars for pesos?
¿dónde podemos cambiar dólares a or (Esp) en pesos?
trade vt a ‹ blows / insults / secrets › intercambiar; to trade sth FOR sth cambiar or canjear algo POR algo;
create / kri"eIt / vt a (bring into existence) ‹ world / product › crear; to create jobs crear or generar empleo;
What a mess!. If I translate your sentences, they sound quite strange.
To trade a noun for an adjective., or
To exchange a noun for an adjective., or
These two uses of trade/exchange would be synonymous with each other, but I don't think that they would be the same as convertir in the context that is given. A trade or exchange would indicate that the noun go one place and the adjective go somewhere else, but your phrase seems to imply that the adjective is actually being synthesized from the noun root and not being exchanged.
To base an adjective on a noun
This one is a bit awkward as it is not the adjective that is should be the focal point (i.e base) it is the formation of the adjective that you should be basing something on. A better way to say this using base would be to say:
*To base the formation of an adjective on a (corresponding) noun
To create an adjective from a noun.
This one appears to convey the meaning perfectly as you are trying to generate an adjective from an already existing noun and this is what create implies in this context
Here is another acceptable alternative
to synthesize an adjective from a noun [the noun acts as the precursor/starting material]
An example with "become". (He became famous). It does not need an object.
An example with "turn into". (The prince turned into a frog). This verbs needs an object.
OK.
And "change into" and "convert into" sound as if they were similar to "turn into".
Hi Nila
To translate this sentence "para convertir un nombre en adjetivo" into English, I am not sure if I can do it by means of two ways:
This is actually not a sentence as there is no independent clause. What you have here is a phrase. Could you supply the rest of the sentence for a bit more context?
As it stands, I can not think of any instances where sentence B would be correct, but a little more context would be helpful.
Is there any more way to translate it?
I would have thought to translate it in one of the two following ways
in order to change a noun into an adjective
Or
in order to convert a noun into an adjective
Then, can "grow to be" and "make" be used instead of "turn into"?. If it is possible, I would like to have the examples with both of them.
They sound weird for me, but they appear as synonymous in my dictionary. And I cannot find any example.
Somehow I answered twice. I must have been very sure.
¡Hola!, Nila45:
In English, we would never say “to become a noun in an adjective”. Because it would not be said, no additional comment on it is required.
On the other hand
“To turn a noun into an adjective.” Works and is OK. Other acceptable ways would include. For example:
To trade a noun for an adjective., or
To exchange a noun for an adjective., or
To create an adjective from a noun., or
To base an adjective on a noun
There are probably other acceptable ways in addition to the ones I’ve listed. I hope this is the information you wanted and that it is some help to you.
Regards/Recuerdos,
Moe
I am going with A on the basis that B does not make sense.
The first answer "to turn a noun.." is correct. The second one would not make any sense in English.
I am going with A on the basis that B does not make sense.
