Shut vs Close
Though people seem to use shut and close alternatively, there actually exists a difference between shut and close. The word close is used as a verb and a noun while the word shut is only used as a verb. The origin of the word shut is in the Old English word scyttan. The origin of the word close is found in Middle English. Close even has phrasal verbs such as close down, close in, close something out, close with, etc. At the same time, there are a number of phrases that use the word shut such as be shut of, shut the door on, shut one’s eyes to, etc.
What does Shut mean?
The word shut is used to give the meaning of ‘fully close’. Observe the two sentences given below:
Please shut the door.
Amanda shut her lips tight.
In the first sentence, the word shut gives the meaning of ‘fully close’ and the meaning of the sentence would be ‘please fully close the door’. In the second sentence, the word shut again gives the meaning ‘fully close.’ You cannot close your lips tight unless they are fully closed. So the meaning of this sentence would be ‘Amanda fully closed her lips.’ On the other hand, the word shut is used in the formation of several phrases and expressions like ‘shut down’, ‘shut up’ and the like.
What does Close mean?
On the other hand, the word close gives the meaning of ‘enclose’ or ‘block’ or ‘cover’. This is the difference between the two words. Look at the following sentences:
Please close the door.
Rahul kept closing his eyes and nodding off during the chairman’s speech.
In the first sentence given above, sentence the word close gives the meaning of ‘cover’ and the meaning of the sentence would be ‘please use the door to cover the room’. In the second sentence also the word close gives the meaning ‘cover.’ In this sentence, the meaning would be Rahul kept falling asleep during the speech of the chairman.
The word close is primarily used in the sense ‘fitting tightly’ as in the sentence given below.
Close the bottle with the lid and keep it in the box.
In this sentence, the word close is understood in the sense of ‘fitting tightly’ and the meaning of the sentence would be ‘fit the bottle tightly with the lid and keep it in the box’. This is the main difference between the usages of the two words, namely, close and shut. It is interesting to note that the word close is often followed by the preposition ‘by’ or ‘with’ as in the sentences given below.
The bank will be closed by 3 pm.
Please close the tank with the stopper.
Just like the word shut, the word close is also used in the formation of expressions and phrases such as ‘close up’, ‘close in’ and the like.
What is the difference between Shut and Close?
• The word shut is used to give the meaning of ‘fully close’. On the other hand, the word close gives the meaning of ‘enclose’ or ‘block’ or ‘cover’. This is the difference between the two words.
• The word close is primarily used in the sense ‘fitting tightly.’
• It is interesting to note that the word close is often followed by the preposition ‘by’ or ‘with.’
• On the other hand, the word shut is used in the formation of several phrases and expressions like ‘shut down’, ‘shut up’ and the like.
• In the same way, the word close is also used in the formation of expressions and phrases such as ‘close up’, ‘close in’ and the like.