What are the definitions of “shut in”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Prevent someone from leaving.
I SHUT the cat IN until it was time to go to the vet.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “shut in”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb shut in is to prevent someone or something from leaving a place, usually by closing a door or gate. For example, it can mean keeping a pet inside a room or not allowing a person to go outside.
What are the different verb forms of “shut in”?
| Root Verb | shut in |
| Third Person Singular Present | shuts in |
| Present Participle | shutting in |
| Simple Past | shut in |
| Past Participle | shut in |
Example
She shut the dog in the room to keep it away from the guests.
Example
He shuts in the cat every night to prevent it from going outside.
Example
They are shutting in the chickens to protect them from predators.
Example
Yesterday, she shut in the rabbit to clean its cage.
Example
The door was accidentally shut in on the cat's tail.
What kind of phrasal verb is “shut in”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“shut in” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She shut the dog in the room.
Example
He shut in the cat every night.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“shut in” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She shut the dog in the room.
Example
He shut in the cat every night.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “shut in”?
Shut-in
A person who is confined to their home, usually due to illness, disability, or social isolation.
Example
The elderly woman was a shut-in and rarely left her apartment.
Good things to know
Does “shut in” have an informal or formal tone?
Shut in is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
