He closed the door behind him as he left.

Meaning: This means that he moved the door to cover the opening after he went away from the room.

Choice of Words: Closed means to move something to cover an opening. Door is a movable panel that opens and closes to provide access to a building or room. Behind means at the back of something. Left means to go away from a place. The sentence describes someone leaving a room.

Alternative Expressions

The door swung shut as he stepped out.

Meaning: This sentence also describes the action of a door closing after someone has left a room or building. However, it emphasizes the movement of the door as it closes, suggesting that it may have been windy or that the person did not close it completely.

Choice of Words: Swung describes the motion of the door as it moved. Shut means to close or block an opening. As indicates that the closing of the door happened at the same time as he was stepping out. Stepped means to move by lifting and placing one foot in front of the other.

He exited the room, leaving the door ajar.

Meaning: This sentence describes the action of a person leaving a room without closing the door completely. It suggests that the person may have wanted to leave the door open for someone else or that they were in a hurry and did not have time to close it properly.

Choice of Words: Exited means to leave a place. Room refers to the specific enclosed space that the person is leaving. Leaving indicates that the person is in the process of departing. Ajar means slightly open.

Related Expressions