What are the definitions of “shut off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Close, prevent access.
They SHUT the water OFF while they did the repairs.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “shut off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb shut off is to stop the flow of something, such as water, gas, or electricity, by closing a valve or switch. For example, it can mean turning off the water supply while doing repairs or stopping the flow of electricity to a device.
What are the different verb forms of “shut off”?
| Root Verb | shut off |
| Third Person Singular Present | shuts off |
| Present Participle | shutting off |
| Simple Past | shut off |
| Past Participle | shut off |
Example
Please shut off the lights before you leave the room.
Example
He shuts off the water supply when he goes on vacation.
Example
She is shutting off the gas before starting the repair.
Example
Yesterday, they shut off the electricity for maintenance.
Example
The power was shut off during the storm.
What kind of phrasal verb is “shut off”?
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 off” 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 off the water supply.
Example
He shut the water off while they did the repairs.
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 off” 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 off the water supply.
Example
He shut the water off while they did the repairs.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “shut off”?
Good things to know
Does “shut off” have an informal or formal tone?
Shut off 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, such as in written instructions or technical documents.
