close completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close completely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to ensure that something is fully shut or sealed without any gaps. Example: "Please make sure to close completely the lid on the container to prevent any spills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"We knew we weren't MoMA and we weren't going to go that route, but we very much wanted to keep our presence alive in the city," she said, mentioning the Morgan Library, which decided last year to close completely until expansion is completed in 2006, with very little programming until it reopens.

The New York Times - Arts

If the door doesn't close completely, or doesn't remain closed, simply realign the interior magnet.

WikiHow

"I believe the gap will close completely.

The New York Times

By 2020, the hole is scheduled to close completely.

The New York Times

"In modern management, you cannot close completely the door to a little bit of commercial interests.

The Guardian - Sport

After a while, as these grooves deepened, the book refused to close completely when I laid it down.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"The regime here is closing, completely closing, all avenues of people expressing themselves".

The New York Times

Even now, it is unclear which corporate loopholes will be closed completely.

The Economist

The Trollhattan factory sputtered for a bit, closing completely in June.

The New York Times

The lady undergoes considerable discomfort and eventually the holes heal up and are closed completely.

The New Yorker

Airlines cancelled more than 5,300 flights through Saturday, and Boston's Logan Airport closed completely.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close completely", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being closed and why the completeness of the closure is important. For instance, "Close completely the container to avoid contamination" specifies both the object and the purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "close completely" when a simple "close" suffices. For example, instead of saying "Close completely the door", unless there's a specific reason to emphasize completeness, "Close the door" is usually adequate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close completely" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the thoroughness of the action of closing. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase commonly specifies the manner in which something should be closed, highlighting the need for a full and gap-free closure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close completely" functions as an adverbial modifier that emphasizes the thoroughness of closure. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. The phrase serves to provide explicit instructions or highlight the necessity of a secure and full closure to prevent potential issues. Although acceptable in informal settings, its precise nature lends itself better to more formal or technical communications. When writing, avoid redundancy by only using "close completely" when the completeness of closure is essential; otherwise, "close" will suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shut entirely

Emphasizes the total act of shutting something without any opening left.

completely shut

Reverses the order of words but maintains the same core meaning.

entirely sealed

Emphasizes the completeness of the seal.

totally sealed

Similar to "entirely sealed" but with a slightly different emphasis.

seal off

Focuses on preventing anything from entering or exiting after closure.

fully sealed

Highlights the airtight or watertight aspect of closure.

tightly shut

Focuses on how firmly something is closed.

firmly closed

Indicates that something is not just closed but also secured well.

hermetically sealed

Implies an airtight seal, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

securely fastened

Focuses on the act of securing something so it cannot open.

FAQs

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

You can use "close completely" to emphasize the need for a full and thorough closure, as in "Make sure to "close completely" the valve to prevent leaks".

What's the difference between "close" and "close completely"?

"Close" simply means to shut something, while ""close completely"" emphasizes that the closure must be thorough and without gaps. The latter is used when the completeness of the closure is crucial.

What can I say instead of "close completely"?

You can use alternatives like "shut entirely", "seal off", or "completely shut" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify "completely" when asking someone to close something?

No, it's not always necessary. Only use ""close completely"" when it's important to emphasize that the closure must be thorough to avoid negative consequences, such as leaks or contamination. Otherwise, "close" is sufficient.