Close vs. Shut
- She closed/shut her eyes against the light.
- All the shops were closed/shut, so I couldn’t buy anything.
- The shop closes/shuts at seven o’clock.
- Could you close/shut the windows, please?
- Close/shut your eyes – I have a surprise for you.
The past participles closed and shut can be used as adjectives.
- The shop is closed/shut on Sundays.
Note that the past participle shut cannot be used before a noun. We can say a closed shop or door, but not a shut shop or door.
Cases where close is preferred
We prefer close for slow movements.
Compare:
- As we watched, he closed his eyes for the last time.
- Shut your mouth.
Reference: Practical English Usage by Michael Swan, Oxford University Press.
Cloth vs. Clothes
- Her clothes are all made of expensive cloth.
- Woolen clothes are the best in summer.
Clothes has no singular. We say an article/ a piece of clothing, but not a cloth.
- I must buy a piece of clothing. I have nothing to wear.
