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spinnin vs turning vs rotating



 
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spinnin vs turning vs rotating #1 (permalink) Fri Apr 18, 2008 18:10 pm   spinnin vs turning vs rotating
 

Can some one please tell me if the following sentences sound natural?

1) The fan is rotating (this looks too formal to me)
2) The fan is spinning
3) The fan is turning

If none of them look natural, please suggest the correct usage.
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spinnin vs turning vs rotating #2 (permalink) Sat Apr 19, 2008 0:42 am   spinnin vs turning vs rotating
 

Yes, they all sound fine. If you say, "The fan is rotating," you may or may not be having a technical discussion. It can be, but doesn't have to be, formal.
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spinnin vs turning vs rotating #3 (permalink) Sat Apr 19, 2008 0:45 am   spinnin vs turning vs rotating
 

Why not just say 'the fan is running'?

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spinnin vs turning vs rotating #4 (permalink) Sat Apr 19, 2008 0:52 am   spinnin vs turning vs rotating
 

You can say, "The fan was running, but the blades weren't turning." So running doesn't necessarily involve rotation.
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