seal off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seal off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is blocked off or separated from the rest. For example, "The police sealed off the building to investigate the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The military tried to seal off the target neighborhood.

The New Yorker

Efforts were continuing to seal off the valve yesterday.

Independent

Black windows and black doors seal off escape.

The Guardian - Arts

In the rear, divider units seal off a few rows.

The New York Times

A giant wall to seal off the Mexican border.

The Guardian - Opinion

Split trunks can dehydrate rapidly and localized wound-compounds can seal off vascular flow.

Cornell University

The hallowed concept of character was invented to seal off these contingencies.

The New Yorker

"It will require troops to seal off the zone, and then troops for raids.

The New York Times

Trees protect themselves and seal off the area where the core was removed.

The New York Times

Armed men cluster near the mouth of the Métro, ready to seal off the neighborhood.

The New Yorker

Nor can India seal off its financial system to the same extent as China.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seal off", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being isolated and the reason for the isolation. For example, specify whether it's for security, containment, or another purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "seal off" in casual conversation where simpler terms like "close" or "block" would suffice. "Seal off" is more appropriate for situations involving security or containment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seal off" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of completely blocking access to a place or object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for indicating physical isolation. Examples on Ludwig show use cases from sealing neighborhoods to wells.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

29%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seal off" is a common phrasal verb used to describe the act of completely blocking access to a place or object, often for security or containment purposes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It is used primarily in News & Media, Wiki and Science. While generally neutral in tone, it's best reserved for situations where a strong sense of restriction is intended. Consider using alternatives like "blockade" or "close off" for similar but slightly different meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close off

A more general term for preventing access or passage.

cordon off

Suggests a perimeter established for control or security.

blockade

Implies a military or strategic action to prevent entry or exit.

barricade

Emphasizes a physical barrier to prevent entry.

isolate

Focuses on separating something from its surroundings.

cut off

Suggests severing a connection or supply.

shut off

Implies stopping the flow or operation of something.

confine

Highlights restricting something to a specific area.

obstruct

Focuses on impeding movement or progress.

encircle

Implies surrounding an area to contain or control it.

FAQs

How is "seal off" used in a sentence?

You can use "seal off" to describe the act of preventing access to an area or object. For example, "The authorities decided to "seal off" the crime scene from the public."

What are some alternatives to "seal off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "blockade", "close off", or "isolate".

When is it appropriate to use "seal off" instead of "close"?

"Seal off" is more suitable when you want to emphasize a complete and often forceful prevention of access, typically for safety or security reasons. "Close" is a more general term. For example, to "seal off" a crime scene implies preventing any entry, while to close a door simply means shutting it.

What does it mean when an area has been "sealed off"?

It means the area has been completely isolated, typically by authorities or emergency services, to prevent entry or exit, usually for safety, security, or investigative purposes.