has never been opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has never been opened" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an item that has never been used. For example: "This can of beans has never been opened".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It has never been opened.

The New Yorker

Unlike many English homes with a history, Shakenhurst Manor has never been opened to the public.

The New York Times

It has never been opened, and the seal was never broken.

The New York Times - Food

A warmer tent has been erected for young mothers, but refugees say it has never been opened.

The Guardian

She warned: "They do say there be a witch in this and if you're let un out there be a peck o' trouble". It has never been opened.

The Guardian

Visit the 14th-century mosque with a mysterious door that has never been opened, meet the 15,000 remaining nomadic Tuareg, join them on a camel ride and sleep out under the stars.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

We want to open doors that have never been opened".

The New York Times

The gates of the Morganza Floodway, thirty miles downstream, had never been opened.

The New Yorker

A 1950s hot plate that had never been opened or used.

The Washington Post

It just opened me up in a way I have never been opened up before.

The Guardian - Music

"The U.S. opened a can of worms that should have never been opened in the first place".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has never been opened" to describe the original, untouched condition of items, documents, or places, emphasizing their lack of prior access or use.

Common error

Avoid using "has never been opened" when you mean 'was not opened recently'. The phrase implies a complete history of non-use, not just a recent period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has never been opened" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically used to characterize a noun. It indicates a state of untouched or unused condition, emphasizing that an item or space has not been accessed or utilized at any point in its existence. Ludwig confirms the correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has never been opened" is a descriptive phrase indicating that something remains in its original, untouched condition. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its utility across various contexts. It is frequently used in News & Media and Science. When writing, use this phrase to precisely convey the idea of pristine, unaccessed state, avoiding its application when only recent non-use is implied. Alternatives include ""remained unopened"" or "was never unsealed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained unopened

Focuses on the state of being unopened, emphasizing the lack of action.

was never unsealed

Highlights the unbroken seal as a barrier to access.

stayed shut

Emphasizes the state of being closed and unentered.

was never accessed

Shifts focus to the lack of access or use.

has not been entered

Emphasizes the lack of entry or penetration.

remains untouched

Highlights the pristine condition due to lack of use.

was left untouched

Focuses on the act of leaving something in its original state.

has not been used

Emphasizes the lack of utilization or application.

was never utilized

Formal alternative highlighting the lack of use.

persisted in its original state

Emphasizes the continuation of the original condition.

FAQs

How can I use "has never been opened" in a sentence?

You can use "has never been opened" to describe something that remains in its original, unused state. For instance, "The package "remained unopened", indicating it "remains untouched" since it was sealed."

What are some alternatives to "has never been opened"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""remained unopened"", "was never unsealed", or "stayed shut", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of non-access or non-use.

Is it correct to say "had never been opened" instead of "has never been opened"?

Both are correct, but they operate in different tenses. "Has never been opened" refers to something that remains unopened up to the present. "Had never been opened" is used when discussing a past point in time before another event occurred.

What's the difference between "has never been opened" and "has not been opened"?

"Has never been opened" emphasizes the entire history of non-use, while "has not been opened" might simply mean it wasn't opened in a specific period or context. The former stresses a more comprehensive lack of access.