What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
valve
Example
The plumber fixed the valve on the water pipe. [valve: noun]
Example
The heart has four valves that regulate blood flow. [valves: plural noun]
Example
The musician adjusted the valve on the trumpet to change the pitch. [valve: noun]
shutter
Example
She closed the shutters to keep the sunlight out. [shutters: plural noun]
Example
The house had metal shutters to protect against hurricanes. [shutters: plural noun]
Example
The photographer adjusted the shutter speed to capture the perfect shot. [shutter: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Valve is more commonly used than shutter in everyday language. Valve is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while shutter is less common and mainly used in architecture and photography.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between valve and shutter?
Both valve and shutter are technical words that are more formal in tone and used in specific industries. However, valve is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while shutter is mainly used in formal or technical contexts.
