shut off the engine

USAGE SUMMARY

"shut off the engine" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used as a command or instruction to turn off a vehicle's engine. For example: "Before exiting the car, please make sure to shut off the engine and remove the keys from the ignition." Or "The mechanic instructed me to shut off the engine in order to diagnose the problem with the car's brakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Shut off the engine and check the fluid level.

WikiHow

Then shut off the engine and call a dealer for assistance.

The New York Times

She shut off the engine and, instead of opening her door, began to talk.

The New Yorker

I shut off the engine and crossed my fingers, hoping the car and I would survive.

The New York Times - Travel

The new button will shut off the engine with three quick pushes or one push held for two seconds; the old button required a three-second continuous push to shut off the engine.

The New York Times

You pull into your high-end condo building, drive your car onto a steel pallet and shut off the engine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

With the engine warm, however, the stop-start system engages, shutting off the engine at traffic lights.

The New York Times

Car alarms, he added, often have a "starter kill" built into them, which shuts off the engine.

The New Yorker

Simple, software-dependent technologies, like auto stop-start, which shuts off the engine during long stops, will become common.

The New York Times

He turned around in Yonkers, shutting off the engine at a traffic light that was red for nearly a minute.

The New York Times

IT'S been a standard trick among miserly drivers for years: shutting off the engine in stopped traffic and at long stoplights instead of burning gasoline while idling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to stop a vehicle, use "shut off the engine" for clarity and directness. This is especially important in safety-critical situations.

Common error

While both "shut off" and "turn off" are acceptable, "shut off" often implies a more forceful or complete stop. Use "shut off" when you want to emphasize the immediate termination of the engine's operation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shut off the engine" functions primarily as an imperative, providing a direct command or instruction. Ludwig shows examples where it's used to tell someone to stop the engine or to describe a feature of a vehicle.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shut off the engine" is a common and correct imperative phrase used to instruct someone to stop an engine, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as in wikis. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase adheres to standard grammar rules and is widely accepted. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific context and level of formality, as some options like "kill the engine" can be less formal. Proper usage of this phrase is essential for clarity and safety, particularly in instructional and technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn off the engine

A more general alternative that emphasizes the action of deactivating the engine.

switch off the engine

Similar to "turn off the engine", focusing on the switching action.

stop the motor

Uses "motor" as a synonym for "engine", providing a slightly different word choice.

cut the engine

A short and direct alternative, implying immediate cessation of engine function.

kill the engine

A more abrupt and informal way to say "shut off the engine".

power down the engine

Emphasizes the electrical aspect of turning off the engine.

disable the engine

Implies rendering the engine unable to function.

deactivate the engine

A more formal and technical way of saying "shut off the engine".

halt the engine

A more formal and less common way to describe stopping the engine.

bring the engine to a halt

A more descriptive way of saying "shut off the engine", emphasizing the complete stop.

FAQs

How to use "shut off the engine" in a sentence?

You can use "shut off the engine" as a direct command, such as "Before refueling, "shut off the engine"." It can also be used descriptively, like "The car automatically "shuts off the engine" at long stops."

What can I say instead of "shut off the engine"?

Alternatives include "turn off the engine", "stop the motor", or "kill the engine", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "shuts off the engine" or "shut off the engine"?

"Shut off the engine" is typically used as an imperative. "Shuts off the engine" is used when describing a system or action in the third person singular present tense, for example "The car "shuts off the engine" automatically."

Why is it important to "shut off the engine" before refueling a car?

It's crucial to "shut off the engine" before refueling due to safety concerns. A running engine can produce heat and sparks, which could ignite the fuel vapors, leading to a fire or explosion.