Difference between shut and close

[Phuong Lam]

Test No. incompl/inter-10 "Close/Shut", question 1

In the interest of safety the main valve on the machine had to be ......... off.

(a) shutting
(b) closing
(c) closed
(d) shut

Test No. incompl/inter-10 "Close/Shut", answer 1

In the interest of safety the main valve on the machine had to be shut off.

Correct answer: (d) shut

Your answer was: correct
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Hello,

Could you show me the difference between shut and close? (shut vs. close)

Phuong Lam

[Alan]

A full answer to this question would take a very long time, I'm afraid. There are so many uses of both verbs. They mean very much the same in some cases as in Shut the door and Close the door. The general difference is that shut has a more mechanical sense and close a manual sense. In the sentence in the test I've chosen shut to mean a precise/mechanical/exact movement.
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English as a Second Language
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[Kelly]

Hi Alan
Hm...perhaps my Enlgish level is still low, however can u tell me what does the Mechanical sense and Manual sense?

Thanks

[Shafqat]

[Alan]

Hi Khan,

'Shut off' as used in the test suggests that the function of the valve has been stopped so that it no longer operates. 'Shut in' suggests 'enclosed' so that there is no means of escape. If someone is shut in a room, it means that the door is locked.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
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[Shafqat]

[Colonelcy]

LDOCE

WORD CHOICE: close, shut, lock, turn/switch off
In many contexts, the verbs close and shut can be used in exactly the same way Please close OR shut the gate. The windows were all closed OR shut. She closed OR shut her eyes. The store closes OR shuts at 7.
!! Use close for a road, border, or airport All the crossing points on the border have been closed (NOT shut).
!! Before a noun, use closed a closed door (NOT shut door)
!! You cannot say 'close someone somewhere'. Use shut or lock to say that someone is put in a room or building and cannot get out They shut her (NOT closed her) in her bedroom. He was locked (NOT closed) in a cell.