verbs that go with curtains and blinds

Status
Not open for further replies.

Tedwonny

Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2012
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Hong Kong
Current Location
UK
Hello everyone,

I've come across quite some verbs that go with curtains and blinds and I'd like to confirm if they're right. THANKS

1) Curtains
- draw the curtain open / draw open the curtain
- open / close the curtain
- pull the curtain

2) Blinds (Venetian)
- draw up / down
- pull up / down

I'm a bit confused how to make things clearly. For instance, if one says draw the curtain, how do I know if it is drawing open or close the curtain (if there are two windows, one has the curtain open the other close). I'm also a bit unsure how open and close collocate with curtains and blinds. Say, can I say the curtain is close / open?

A BIG THANK YOU
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
I'm a bit confused how to make things clearly. For instance, if one says draw the curtain, how do I know if it is drawing open or close the curtain (if there are two windows, one has the curtain open the other closed).
Context will make it clear. For example, if the speaker is clearly disturbed by sun in his/her eyes, then s/he obviously wants the curtain closed. On the other hand, if the words 'draw the curtain' are preceded by, 'It's gloomy in here', then the speaker clearly wants the curtain drawn open.
 

Tedwonny

Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2012
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Hong Kong
Current Location
UK
Thanks!

As for collocation:

Can the following verbs go with blinds and curtains?

Pull / draw / open / close ?

Also, can we say draw the curtains open / close?

Thanks a lot again
 

BobK

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Location
Spencers Wood, near Reading, UK
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
In my world, 'drawing a curtain' shuts out the light; so there's no need to say 'draw closed*' (pleonastic) and the verb for opening them is 'open'.

b

* PS Note the -d. When curtains are close they are nearby. ;-)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top