it was never opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "It was never opened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the fact that something has not ever been opened or used. For example, "I found a package on the doorstep that had my name on it, but it was never opened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Cooler heads and better drivers prevailed, and it was never opened for automobile traffic, even after the apartment house on the south side of the slotlike space, 120 Haven Avenue, was built in the 1910s.

The New York Times

To reseal the envelope so that it looks as though it was never opened in the first place, try one of the following techniques: Use a gluestick.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In all that time, he said, "It was never open, not that I remember".

The New York Times

"We kept passing it by four years ago and it was never open," Ms. Plant said.

The New York Times - Arts

Tessa Williams, an owner of a nearby store called the Brooklyn Collective, said, "I would've gone in, but it just looked like it was never open".

The New York Times

"Even after I had my son Aaron I remained at my parents' house so I could save up the €20,000 deposit to get this place," she said, pointing to the cracks in her living room ceiling and the car park below, which was never opened because it did not meet fire safety standards.

The Guardian - Business

But a Dubai office was never opened.

The New York Times

Despite the money spent on the project, the tower was never opened.

HuffPost

During the funeral, the coffin was never opened.

Unicef

He's never opened it — to deal with that connection — but he hangs onto it.

Huffington Post

Does the water go bad for drinking and cooking? A. If the water was clean when it went into the containers, if the jugs were perfectly clean and sanitized to begin with, and if you are sure the containers were never opened, it will not have become unsafe to consume.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was never opened" to clearly state that something has remained in its original, unopened condition. This phrase is suitable for various contexts, from describing physical objects to abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "it was never opened by" when the actor is irrelevant or unknown. The passive voice is effective when the focus is on the object's state, not the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was never opened" functions as a passive construction to indicate that a particular action (opening) did not occur on a specific subject. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It emphasizes the object's state rather than who might have performed the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was never opened" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to express that something has remained in its original, untouched condition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Appearing frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts, its neutral register makes it versatile for various communication needs. When using this phrase, focus on the object's state and remember to avoid unnecessary specification of the actor. Alternatives such as "it remained unopened" offer nuanced ways to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was not opened

A more direct and simple negation of being opened.

it has never been opened

Uses the present perfect tense to highlight the ongoing state of not being opened up to the present moment.

it remained unopened

Focuses on the state of being unopened rather than the action.

it was never unsealed

Emphasizes the lack of breaking a seal.

it stayed closed

Emphasizes the continuous state of closure.

it was never unlatched

Highlights that the latch was never released.

it was never unlocked

Indicates the lock remained secured.

it was never accessed

Highlights the lack of gaining entry or use.

it was left untouched

Focuses on the lack of physical interaction or alteration.

it was never utilized

Focuses on the lack of use or application.

FAQs

How can I use "it was never opened" in a sentence?

You can use "it was never opened" to describe something that remained in its original, unopened state. For example, "The package arrived, but "it was never opened"."

What's a simple alternative to "it was never opened"?

A simple alternative is "it was not opened", which conveys the same meaning in a more direct way.

Which is correct, "it was never opened" or "it has never been opened"?

Both are correct, but "it has never been opened" emphasizes the continuing state up to the present, while "it was never opened" simply describes a past condition.

What can I say instead of "it was never opened" to emphasize its pristine condition?

You could say "it remained unopened" to emphasize that something stayed in an unopened state.