turned on its side

[navi tasan]

Can one say:

1-The man stuck in the car turned on its side was crying for help.
instead of:
2-The man stuck in the car lying on its side was crying for help.

The context is obviously that of an accident. The car has not been turned on its side, but has turned on its side. That is why I think "1" is problematic.

 

[Barb_D]

I don't really like either of these. The car didn't do it spontaneously -- it was obviously struck or hit something that caused it to flip.

The man stuck in the overturned car was crying for help.

 

[navi tasan]

Thanks Barb_D.

So "overturned" does not necessarily mean "upside down"?

 

[allenman]

The man stuck in the car lying on its side was crying for help.

This sentence is perfect. To change the meaning to overturned changes how the car was found. Overturned to me means on its roof. Your sentence implies it was on its side (on the doors).

"Turned on its side" is ok but is not as natural as "lying"

Not a teacher, just a native

 

[freezeframe]

Overturned to me means on its roof. Your sentence implies it was on its side (on the doors).

overturn


–verb (used with object) 1. to destroy the power of; overthrow; defeat; vanquish.

2. to turn over on its side, face, or back; upset: to overturn a vase.


–verb (used without object) 3. to turn on its side, face, or back; capsize: The boat overturned during the storm.

 

[Barb_D]

I would not assume that overturned meant on its roof. So, since native speakers disagree on what they would picture, if clarity is essential, you should probably say "on its side" or "flipped over."

 

[allenman]

if clarity is essential, you should probably say "on its side" or "flipped over."

Agreed... no confusion there.