shutting like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shutting like" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something closing or shutting in a manner similar to something else, but it lacks context and clarity. Example: "The door was shutting like a heavy metal gate, slamming shut with a loud bang."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

TV cables are snaking down the corridors, photographers stand in huddles and the doors keep opening and shutting like a Feydeau farce.

The Guardian - Film

A snipe – I can see its long beak opening and shutting like tweezers, its brown and cream markings that make it blend in so well.

The Guardian

They are wrong, but there are grains of truth in the caricature.Sir Alan started off writing farce, a genre which had long been debased into clichés of unfrocked priests, dropped trousers, and doors opening and shutting like cuckoo clocks.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And slams the lid shut, like, "Oops," and opens it one more time, and hope pops out of the box.

The New York Times

Might it snap shut like a clapperboard?

Independent

She clapped the phone shut like a castanet.

The New Yorker

My mouth opens and shuts like a fish.

The Guardian - Travel

The silver lighter snapped shut like a scared turtle.

The New York Times

She opens and shuts like a sea anemone.

The Guardian - Books

Between its abutments were ten piers, framing eleven gates that could be lifted or dropped, opened or shut, like windows.

The New Yorker

And I like when I give you the nightfeed, Harvey, how you're really concentrating on it: fists clenched, eyes shut, like this is bliss.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "shutting like", opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "closing like" or "slamming shut like" to clearly convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "shutting like" as it is grammatically incorrect and can confuse readers. Always ensure your phrases adhere to standard English grammar rules for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shutting like" attempts to function as a comparative, describing how something closes in relation to something else. However, it's grammatically flawed. Ludwig AI indicates its incorrectness and suggests alternatives like "closing like".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shutting like" is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is best avoided in formal writing. Instead, opting for alternatives such as "closing like" or "slamming shut like" will enhance clarity and grammatical accuracy. While the existing examples predominantly come from News & Media sources, it's crucial to prioritize correct grammar over informal phrasing to ensure effective communication. Using alternative phrasing improve overall writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closing like

Focuses on the action of closing, similar to "shutting like", but grammatically correct.

closing as if

Suggests a resemblance in the way something closes.

snapping shut like

Highlights a quick and decisive closure.

slamming shut like

Emphasizes a forceful and abrupt closure.

closing in the manner of

A more formal way of expressing a similar concept.

closing tightly like

Focuses on the firmness of the closure.

sealing shut like

Emphasizes a tight and complete closure, similar to sealing.

firmly closing like

Stresses the secure manner of the closure.

sealing as

Highlights the action of closing tightly, preventing passage.

sealing tightly as

Focuses on both the secure and complete closure.

FAQs

What is wrong with the phrase "shutting like"?

The phrase "shutting like" is grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate phrasing would be /s/closing+like, /s/slamming+shut+like, or /s/sealing+as depending on the intended meaning.

How can I use "closing like" correctly in a sentence?

You can use the phrase "closing like" to describe the manner in which something is closing. For example: "The door was closing like a heavy metal gate."

Which is the correct way to say something is closing in a particular manner?

The correct way is to use phrases such as /s/closing+like or /s/sealing+shut+like, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Are there formal alternatives to "shutting like"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives such as "closing in the manner of" or /s/sealing+as, which provide a more sophisticated tone.