to close

USAGE SUMMARY

"to close" is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used as a verb (ex. He closed the door) or as an adjective (ex. The door was closed). Example sentence: She decided to close the store early.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SCHOOLS Option to close.

The New York Times

BANKS Option to close.

The New York Times

I was ready to close".

The New Yorker

"The alternative was to close".

The New York Times - Arts

The conversation needs to close.

The New York Times

We can begin to close.

The New York Times

It's time to close it".

The New York Times

His eye started to close.

The Guardian - Sport

"So we have to close".

The New York Times

"We'll be forced to close".

The New York Times

I wanted to close out the match".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to close" in business writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being closed, such as "to close the deal" or "to close the account".

Common error

Avoid using "to close" intransitively without proper context. For example, instead of saying "the store will to close", specify "the store will have to close" or "the store is going to close".

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to close" primarily functions as a verb, indicating an action or process of shutting, ending, or completing something. As shown by Ludwig AI, "to close" is often used to express intention or purpose. For example, "Blockbuster plans to close 300 stores."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to close" is a very common and versatile construction used across various contexts to convey the action of shutting, ending, or completing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and finds frequent application in news, general writing, and professional settings. When using "to close", be mindful of the intended meaning and context to ensure clarity. While generally straightforward, paying attention to transitive and intransitive usage will help avoid potential grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to shut

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing the action of physically closing something.

to conclude

This alternative focuses on ending or finalizing a process or event.

to terminate

This alternative suggests a more formal or official ending.

to complete

This alternative highlights the achievement of finishing a task or project.

to finalize

This alternative implies putting the last touches on something to make it complete.

to end

This alternative is a general term for bringing something to a stop.

to cease

This alternative is a more formal way of saying "to stop".

to shut down

This alternative is often used in the context of businesses or systems.

to close up

This alternative suggests a more thorough or permanent closure.

to seal

This alternative implies making something closed and secure.

FAQs

How can I use "to close" in a sentence?

You can use "to close" in a sentence to indicate the action of shutting something, like "Please remember "to close the door"" or to indicate the end of something, such as "They decided "to close the business"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to close"?

Alternatives to "to close" include "to shut", "to conclude", "to terminate", or "to complete", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "close the door" or "to close the door"?

Both are correct, but they serve different grammatical purposes. "Close the door" is an imperative sentence, a direct command. "To close the door" is an infinitive phrase that can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb within a larger sentence. For example: "It is important "to close the door" after leaving."

What is the difference between "to close" and "closing"?

"To close" is the infinitive form of the verb, often used to express purpose or intention. "Closing" is the gerund or present participle form. For example: "The plan is "to close the deal" this week." versus "Closing the deal is their priority."