it was closed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was closed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something, such as a business or a location, was not open at a certain time in the past. Example: "When I arrived at the store, I was disappointed to find that it was closed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was closed.

The New York Times

It was closed, we discovered.

The New Yorker

It was closed down.

The Guardian

It was closed for the big race.

The New York Times

For a while it was closed.

The New York Times

It was closed when they got there.

The New Yorker

Two years later, it was closed down.

The New York Times

It was closed for a cleanup.

The New York Times

It was closed that day.

The New York Times - Travel

It was closed like other federal parks.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was closed three years ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was closed", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reason for something being closed. State the known facts without speculation, unless you have reliable information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was closed" primarily functions as a declarative statement. It asserts a state of being, indicating that something was not open or accessible at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was closed" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something was not open or accessible at a particular time. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While the phrase is straightforward, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to and avoiding unsubstantiated assumptions about the reason for closure. Alternatives like "it was shut" or "it wasn't open" can be used depending on the desired nuance. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had been shut

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize that the closure occurred before a specific time in the past.

it remained shut

Implies that the closure continued over a period of time.

it stood shuttered

Uses a more descriptive word ("shuttered") to evoke the image of a closed state.

it wasn't open

Expresses the same idea in a negative form, focusing on the lack of openness.

it had been sealed

Suggests a more permanent or official closure.

it was inaccessible

Focuses on the inability to access the place or thing.

it was out of service

Typically used for facilities or services that are temporarily unavailable.

it was not operational

Indicates that something is not functioning or in use.

it was off-limits

Signifies that access is prohibited.

its doors were locked

Highlights the physical barrier preventing entry.

FAQs

How can I use "it was closed" in a sentence?

Use "it was closed" to state that a specific place or thing was not open or accessible at a particular time. For example, "When I arrived at the restaurant, "it was closed" for renovations."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was closed"?

You can use alternatives like "it was shut", "it wasn't open", or "it was inaccessible" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it was close" instead of "it was closed"?

No, "it was close" has a different meaning. "It was close" means something nearly happened or was located nearby, while "it was closed" means something was not open.

What does "it was closed for a private party" mean?

"It was closed for a private party" means that a venue or establishment was not accessible to the general public because it was hosting a private event.