I closed the door softly, not to disturb anyone.

Meaning: This means to close the door in a quiet way so that you don't make noise and bother others.

Choice of Words: Softly means to make a gentle or low sound. Disturb means to interrupt someone or something, or to cause someone to feel upset or uncomfortable. When you put them together, "closed the door softly" means to close the door in a gentle and quiet way so as not to bother anyone.

Alternative Expressions

I gently shut the door so as not to make a sound.

Meaning: This means the same thing as the first sentence. I closed the door carefully and quietly so that I wouldn't make any noise.

Choice of Words: Gently means to do something with care or without using much force. Shut is another word for close. Sound means a noise or something that you can hear.

I quietly closed the door to avoid making noise that could bother others.

Meaning: This sentence is a bit longer, but it means the same thing as the first two sentences. I closed the door quietly to prevent myself from making any noise that could bother other people.

Choice of Words: Quietly means without making noise. Avoid means to prevent something from happening. Making is the present participle of the verb make, which means to create or produce something. Noise means a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant. Could is a modal verb that indicates possibility or ability. Bother means to annoy or disturb someone.

Related Expressions