Conjugation of "Close" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To shut something by moving a door, window, or lid into position.
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All 12 Tenses of "Close"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "close" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I close |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I closed |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will close |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am closing |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was closing |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be closing |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have closed |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had closed |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have closed |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been closing |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been closing |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been closing |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Close" — Closed
The past simple of "close" is "closed" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.
- She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A1
Past Participle of "Close" — Closed
The past participle of "close" is "closed" — the same form as the past simple, since "close" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have closed") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was closed").
- She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A1
Is "Close" Regular or Irregular?
"Close" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "closed". The 3rd-person singular present is "closes" and the gerund/present participle is "closing".
Conjugation pattern: regular -ed
How to Pronounce "Close" and Its Forms
Close: /kloʊz/ — Stress pattern: O
Stress on first syllable; vowel is long /oʊ/ like in 'go'.
Common mispronunciation of "close"
Learners sometimes confuse the verb /kloʊz/ with the adjective close /kloʊs/, which sounds different.
How to Use "Close" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'close' for shutting doors, windows, or containers. 'Shut' is similar but less common.
S + V + O (noun or object pronoun)S + V (intransitive, e.g., 'The store closes')
Example Sentences with "Close" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: Please close the door when you leave. A1
- Simple Past: She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A1
Common Collocations with "Close"
- close a door — Please close the door quietly.
- close the window — Close the window; it is cold outside.
- close down — The old factory closed down last year.
- close your eyes — Close your eyes and make a wish.
- close a business — She closed her restaurant after 20 years.
When to Use "Close" vs Similar Verbs
"close" vs "clothes"
Sound similar but 'clothes' is for wearing, 'close' means shut
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- shut — for general closing of doors or windows
- seal — when making something airtight or permanently closed
Antonyms: open, unlock
Common Mistakes with "Close"
-
Wrong: He close the door yesterday.
Correct: He closed the door yesterday.
Use past tense "closed" with past time reference. -
Wrong: They are close the shop now.
Correct: They are closing the shop now.
Present continuous uses "-ing" form: "closing". -
Wrong: She will close up the shop.
Correct: She will close (up) the shop. / She will close the shop.
"Close" or "close up" both work; "close up" emphasizes finality.
Origin and Etymology of "Close"
From Latin 'claudere', meaning to shut or enclose.
Other Forms of "Close"
- Noun: closure
- Adjective: closed
Conjugation Tables for "Close"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not close · He does not close
- Simple past: I did not close · She did not close
- Present perfect: I have not closed · He has not closed
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you close? · Does he close?
- Simple past: Did you close?
- Present perfect: Have you closed?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is closed
- Simple past passive: It was closed
- Present perfect passive: It has been closed
Frequently Asked Questions About "Close"
- Is "close" regular or irregular?
- "close" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "closed".
- What is the past tense of "close"?
- The simple past of "close" is "closed".
- When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "close"?
- Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I close every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am closing right now."
- What's a common mistake with "close"?
- Use past tense "closed" with past time reference. Wrong: "He close the door yesterday." Correct: "He closed the door yesterday."