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Conversation turn

Conversational turn

One contribution or step in a dialogue, such as a user's message or an assistant's reply.

Example

A user asks a question and the assistant takes the next turn.

Why people use it

It helps people describe the steps in a back-and-forth exchange.

What you'll hear

“Which turn introduced that instruction?”

What this means for you

Keep turn boundaries clear when evaluating multi-step conversations.

Can you control it?

Sometimes

Sometimes. Your choices depend on the tool and your access. The settings available to an everyday user may differ from those available to the people running it.

Common questions

Is a turn always one sentence?
No. It can contain several sentences or other interaction elements.
Can a turn contain something other than writing?
Yes. It can include spoken material, an image or another contribution supported by the service.
Does another turn always add useful information?
No. Repetition or conflicting instructions can make the conversation less clear.

Related terms

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