Close the door behind you, please.

Meaning: This means to move the door so that it is closed, at or to the back of the person being spoken to. It's like saying, Move the door so that it is closed, at or to the back of you, please.

Choice of Words: Closing a door usually means moving it so that it is closed. Behind means at or to the back of something. You is the person being spoken to. When you put them together, "Close the door behind you" is a request to move the door so that it is closed, at or to the back of the person being spoken to.

Alternative Expressions

Can you shut the door after you?

Meaning: This means to ask someone to shut the door after they have gone through it. It's like saying, Can you please shut the door after you leave?

Choice of Words: Can is a helping verb that shows that you are asking someone to do something. You is the person who is being asked to shut the door. Shut means to close something. Door is the thing that you are being asked to close. After means after something else has happened. You is the person who is being asked to shut the door. When you put them together, "Can you shut the door after you?" is a polite request asking someone to close the door after they have gone through it.

Would you mind closing the door when you leave?

Meaning: This means to ask someone to shut the door after they have gone through it. It's like saying, Can you please shut the door after you leave?

Choice of Words: Would is a helping verb that shows that you are asking someone to do something. You is the person who is being asked to close the door. Mind means to be bothered by something. Closing means to shut something. Door is the thing that you are being asked to close. When means at the time that something else happens. You is the person who is being asked to close the door. Leave means to go away from a place. When you put them together, "Would you mind closing the door when you leave?" is a polite request asking someone to close the door after they have gone through it.

Related Expressions