close your eye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close your eyes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to close their eyes, either as part of a game, to imagine something, or for any other purpose. For example, "Close your eyes and imagine your favorite place."

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Hold your thumb under your lower eyelashes and slowly close your eye over your thumb.

WikiHow

You can close your eye and pull on it slightly to make the skin tight.

WikiHow

Hold your thumb under your eyelashes and slowly close your eye over your thumb.

WikiHow

If applying liquid eyeliner, start on the inside corner of your upper eyelid and close your eye.

WikiHow

If you need to, close your eye again and keep drawing so that it shows when your eye is open.

WikiHow

Get a fair amount of glue on the lashes, close your eye, and apply them as close to the base of your real lashes as you possibly can.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

You close your eyes.

The New Yorker

Now, close your eyes.

The New York Times

"Next close your eyes.

The New Yorker

"Just close your eyes, honey.

The New Yorker

"Go ahead: close your eyes".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "close your eye" is occasionally used, it's more common and grammatically standard to say "close your eyes" when referring to both eyes. Use "close your eye" if you're specifically referring to shutting only one eye.

Common error

Avoid using "close your eye" when you intend to instruct someone to close both eyes. The plural form, "close your eyes", is typically preferred and more grammatically correct in most contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close your eye" primarily functions as an imperative, instructing someone to shut their eye. As suggested by Ludwig, its usage is less frequent than the plural form. It directly prompts an action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close your eye" is an imperative phrase, used to instruct someone to shut a single eye. While grammatically acceptable, it's far less common than the plural "close your eyes", which is generally preferred unless referring to one eye specifically. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase appears in informal contexts like WikiHow and occasionally in News & Media. When you need to refer to shutting both eyes, or are giving general instructions, "close your eyes" is the standard and more appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shut your eye

Uses "shut" instead of "close", maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly different tone.

close one eye

Specifies closing only one eye, useful when the other eye remains open.

cover your eye

Implies physically blocking the eye from sight, rather than just closing it.

blink your eye

Focuses on the action of blinking, a rapid closing and opening of the eye.

lower your eyelid

More descriptive and clinical, focusing on the physical action of closing the eye.

drop your eyelid

Similar to "lower your eyelid", but suggests a more relaxed or fatigued action.

bring your eyelid down

Another way to describe the action of closing the eye, focusing on the movement of the eyelid.

give your eye a rest

Suggests closing the eye to provide relief or relaxation.

draw your eyelid shut

More dramatic and figurative, implying a forceful or deliberate closing of the eye.

allow your eye to close

Suggests a passive or involuntary closing of the eye.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "close your eye"?

While occasionally used, it's generally more correct to say "close your eyes", especially when referring to both eyes. "Close your eye" is appropriate if referring to only one eye.

When should I use "close your eye" versus "close your eyes"?

"Close your eye" should be used when you are referring to shutting only one eye. Otherwise, use the plural form, "close your eyes".

What are some alternative ways to say "close your eye"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "shut your eye", "cover your eye", or "blink your eye".

Is "close your eye" less common than "close your eyes"?

Yes, the phrase "close your eyes" is significantly more common and standard than "close your eye". Consider using the plural form for general instructions.