turn to account

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But they inspired nothing that I could turn to account in my lady's album; nothing that could serve to introduce the compliment always expected in the last stanza.

From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Leslie, Eliza

My Brother, thinking it might turn to account encourag'd me, and put me on composing two occasional Ballads.

From Benjamin Franklin Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notes by Jorgenson, Chester E.

Publishers were free to turn to account any means of conveyance that happened to be available, for the distribution of their newspapers.

From The History of the Post Office in British North America by Smith, William, Sir

It shows an ability to turn to account the forces of Nature and, train them to the service of man, such as has been possessed by the laborers of no other country.

From Inventors by Hubert, Philip Gengembre

I now took a strong inclination for poetry, and wrote some little pieces; my brother, supposing it might turn to account, encouraged me, and induced me to compose two occasional ballads.

From Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 1 of 2] With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and Philosophical by Franklin, Benjamin