Turn Up vs Turn On: What's the Difference?

Turn up' and 'turn on' look similar, but they describe different actions. Many learners mix them up, especially when talking about devices at home. In this video, you will learn the difference with simple examples. 'Turn on' means to start or activate something, like a machine, light or device. For example: Can you turn on the light? It's too dark. She turned on the TV to watch the news. The opposite is 'turn off'. 'Turn up' means to increase the volume or level of something that is already working. For example: Can you turn up the music? I can't hear it. I turned up the heat because it was freezing. The opposite is 'turn down'. So you first turn on the radio, then turn it up if it is too quiet. Here is the easy rule: you turn up the level, you turn on the device. Also note that 'turn up' has another informal meaning: to arrive or appear, as in He turned up late. Watch the video, repeat each example, and practice by describing what you do with your phone, TV and lights every day.