close all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close all" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are instructing someone to shut down or terminate all open items, such as applications or documents. Example: "Before you leave the office, please make sure to close all applications on your computer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Repeat: close all mics".

The New Yorker

Close: all but four.

The New Yorker

"It was close all year," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The match was close all the way.

The New York Times

Your putts were close all day; frustrating?

The New Yorker

I felt very close all week.

The New York Times

But will close all loopholes.

The Guardian

To close all the doors.

The Guardian - Sport

"They can't close all the mountain pathways.

Independent

He hit it close all day".

The New York Times - Sports

We were that close all year".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing users, be specific about what "all" refers to. For example, "Close all browser windows" is clearer than just "Close all."

Common error

Avoid using "close all" without specifying what needs to be closed. The meaning can be unclear if the context doesn't immediately establish what "all" encompasses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close all" functions primarily as an imperative, directing someone to perform an action. This is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples where it is used to give instructions, such as "close all the tabs" or "close all the windows."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

22%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close all" is a versatile and frequently used imperative, instructing the termination of multiple instances of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable, with usage spanning from technical instructions to everyday commands. While generally neutral in register, context dictates the need for more formal alternatives in specific professional settings. Its prevalence in Wiki and News & Media sources underscores its common usage, although being precise about what "all" refers to is crucial for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shut everything down

Uses different verb and quantifier to convey the same idea of terminating all processes or applications.

terminate all processes

More technical, suitable for computer-related contexts, emphasizing the ending of operations.

end all sessions

Applicable when referring to ending user sessions or connections in software or online services.

shut down completely

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the shutdown process, ensuring nothing remains active.

exit all programs

Specifically refers to exiting software applications, suitable for user instructions.

cease everything

Broader in scope, implying a stop to all activities or operations, not just computer-related.

discontinue all operations

Formal and professional, often used in business or organizational contexts.

clear everything

Focuses on removing or clearing items from a system or list, rather than just shutting them down.

conclude everything

Implies bringing matters to a finish, not just shutting down applications.

finalize everything

Suggests making final arrangements, not specifically related to closing or shutting down processes.

FAQs

How can I use "close all" in a sentence?

You can use "close all" in a sentence when you want to instruct someone to shut down or terminate all open items, such as applications or documents. For example, you might say, "Before leaving, please "close all" the tabs on your browser."

What's a more formal way to say "close all"?

In more formal settings, you might use alternatives such as "terminate all processes", "shut down completely", or "discontinue all operations". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "close all of" instead of "close all"?

While "close all of" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""close all"" is generally more concise and common. In most contexts, it's the preferred phrasing.

What does "close all" mean in a computer context?

In a computer context, ""close all"" typically means to shut down or exit every open application, window, or tab. For example, you might want to ""close all"" before restarting your computer.