close the curtains

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'close the curtains' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of closing window curtains or other types of curtains. For example, "I didn't want anyone to look into the room, so I quickly closed the curtains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When I compose, I have to close the curtains".

The New Yorker

At such moments, people close the curtains and the doors.

The New York Times - Arts

He looked at his fingers and watched her close the curtains against the low sun.

The New Yorker

"Even in this heat we close the curtains," one of the women concluded.

The New Yorker

"Remember," Winger said firmly to Babe, "you always have the option to just close the curtains.

The New York Times - Magazine

His job is to open and close the curtains to show you looking your best.

The Guardian - Tech

But you get out of training, go home and close the curtains for a day.

The Guardian - Sport

Kasperak's nurses, though, were quick to close the curtains, preventing any photos, and the defeated reporters climbed back down.

Stanford University

If I have to work during the day, I will close the curtains and make it black.

The New York Times

We don't close the curtains, so after dinner it can be a little bit like being onstage.

The New York Times

They simply close the curtains and simulate that without any change of strategy, the European Union is going on".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close the curtains" when you want to reduce light in a room for sleeping, privacy, or to improve visibility on a screen.

Common error

Don't describe the manner of closing the curtains unless it's relevant. Simply stating "close the curtains" is often sufficient; adding unnecessary details can clutter your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close the curtains" functions as an imperative, issuing a command or request to perform the action of closing window curtains. Ludwig's examples show it used in varied contexts, from privacy to setting a mood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close the curtains" is a grammatically correct and frequently used imperative phrase that directs someone to shut window curtains. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It primarily serves to block light or ensure privacy and is employed in a neutral register across various contexts, including news, instructional guides, and personal narratives. When offering related instructions, consider alternatives such as "draw the curtains" or "pull the shades down" to add variety to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draw the curtains

Replaces "close" with "draw", focusing on the action of pulling the curtains shut.

shut the drapes

Uses "drapes" instead of "curtains", maintaining the same meaning.

pull the shades down

Substitutes "curtains" with "shades", indicating a different type of window covering.

lower the blinds

Replaces "curtains" with "blinds", specifying a different style of window covering.

block the light

Focuses on the purpose of closing curtains which is to prevent light from entering.

darken the room

Describes the resulting effect of closing the curtains, which is making the room darker.

cover the windows

Emphasizes the act of covering the windows, using a more general term.

screen the windows

Highlights the function of curtains in shielding the windows.

obscure the view

Focuses on blocking the view from the window, which is another purpose of using curtains.

shut out the daylight

Highlights the action of blocking the natural light by closing the curtains.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "close the curtains"?

The phrase "close the curtains" means to shut the curtains, typically to block light, ensure privacy, or darken a room.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "close the curtains"?

It's appropriate to use "close the curtains" when you want to indicate that someone should shut the curtains, for example, to block sunlight or to ensure privacy.

Are there other ways to say "close the curtains"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "draw the curtains", "shut the drapes", or "pull the shades down" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "close the curtains" and "close the blinds"?

Yes, "curtains" and "blinds" refer to different types of window coverings. "Close the curtains" implies shutting fabric coverings, while "close the blinds" refers to adjusting slats to block light.