Shut off

USAGE SUMMARY

"shut off" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to turning off a device or stopping a flow of something. Example: "Please shut off the lights when you leave the room." Alternative expressions include "turn off" and "switch off."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shut off the lights.

HuffPost

Shut off the compressor.

WikiHow

Shut off the heat.

WikiHow

Shut off gas.

WikiHow

Shut off the spigot.

WikiHow

Shut off water.

WikiHow

Shut off power.

WikiHow

Shut off utilities.

WikiHow

Shut off your computer.

WikiHow

Shut off both water spigots.

WikiHow

Shut off any relevant utilities.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Shut off", consider your audience. While widely understood, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "terminate" or "cease" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "Shut off" interchangeably with phrases that imply a different action, such as "turn down" which means to decrease intensity rather than completely stopping something.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "Shut off" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring an object. It indicates the act of stopping the operation of something, such as a device or a flow. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples demonstrating its active voice application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

46%

News & Media

32%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "Shut off" is a versatile and commonly used term that primarily functions to indicate the cessation of operation of a device or the stopping of a flow. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples across diverse sources. While grammatically correct and widely understood, its formality is neutral, making it suitable for everyday communication but potentially less appropriate for highly formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "terminate" or "cease" in such situations. Ludwig's analysis underscores the importance of using "Shut off" accurately, avoiding confusion with similar phrases and ensuring clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Turn off

A more general and commonly used alternative to indicate ceasing operation.

Switch off

Similar to "turn off", often used in the context of electrical devices.

Cut off

Suggests an abrupt or forceful termination.

Power down

Specifically refers to ceasing the power supply to a device.

Close down

Implies ceasing operations, often in a business or system context.

Halt

A more formal term for stopping or ceasing something.

Terminate

Indicates bringing something to an end, often abruptly.

Cease

A formal term for stopping or discontinuing an action or process.

Discontinue

Implies stopping something that was previously ongoing.

Bring to a standstill

A more descriptive way of saying to stop something completely.

FAQs

How can I use "Shut off" in a sentence?

You can use "Shut off" to describe stopping the flow of something, like "shut off the water", or to turn off a device, like "shut off the lights".

What's a more formal way to say "Shut off"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "terminate" or "cease".

Is it correct to say "Shut off of" something?

No, the correct phrase is simply "shut off". The preposition "of" is not needed.

What's the difference between "Shut off" and "Turn off"?

While often interchangeable, "turn off" is a more general term, while "shut off" often implies stopping a flow or closing something to stop operation.