it was not opened

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was not opened' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something remained closed or unopened. Example: "The door had been securely locked, so it was not opened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The $2.1 million iPhone contract was awarded in late September and revealed last week in a government document explaining why it was not opened to competitive tenders.

The New York Times

In the event, it was not opened until 2004, revealing a fascinating treasure trove of clothes, makeup, jewellery, medicines and other intimate possessions.

The Guardian - Arts

Yesterday morning, on my way to see the Paris agricultural fair, I stopped by my favorite public pool for a swim, but it was not opened yet.

The New York Times

A former royal hunting ground, the park became a fashionable location for the promenades of wealthy citizens in the 18th century; however, it was not opened to the general public until the mid-19th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The person close to the investigation said that Kafeel Ahmed had sent an e-mail message to his brother two hours before crashing the Jeep, but that it was not opened until 90 minutes after the attack.

The New York Times

The only link it shows between Scotland and England via the Borders is the Edinburgh to Berwick line, although it was not opened until 1846.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"If it was not opening the festival, it would seem strange," he added.

The Guardian - Film

When it wasn't opened, a police officer climbed over.

Vice

If it's not opened, they smash it down.

The Guardian

It looked like a Broadway opening, but it wasn't opening night.

The New York Times

"It wasn't opening itself".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was not opened" when you want to emphasize that something specifically remained in a closed or sealed state, especially when there was an expectation or possibility of it being opened.

Common error

While "it was not opened" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider active voice alternatives when appropriate to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was not opened" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject did not undergo the action of being opened. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

11%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was not opened" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that something remained in a closed or sealed state. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that this phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Academia sources. The semantic meaning conveys the idea that, for various reasons, there was no possibility to access the content of something, such as an unopened letter. When using "it was not opened", be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active alternatives to enhance clarity and directness in your writing. In summary, it's a versatile phrase with a passive voice that requires mindful application to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remained unopened

Emphasizes the continuing state of being unopened.

it stayed closed

Focuses on the state of being closed, rather than the action of opening.

it wasn't accessible

Highlights the lack of access instead of the action of opening.

it was kept shut

Indicates a deliberate action to keep something closed.

it wasn't unsealed

Focuses on the action of unsealing rather than opening.

it wasn't unlocked

Highlights the state of remaining locked.

it was never unclosed

Emphasizes the permanence of being unclosed.

it was untouched

Implies that it remained in its original, unopened state.

it was left sealed

Focuses on the state of being sealed.

it wasn't parted

Emphasizes the action of parting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was not opened" to sound more active?

Consider alternatives like "no one opened it" or "it remained closed". The best choice depends on the specific context and what you want to emphasize.

Is "it wasn't opened" or "it was not opened" more common?

"It wasn't opened" is a contraction of "it was not opened". Both are grammatically correct, but "it wasn't opened" is more common in informal speech and writing, while "it was not opened" is more formal.

What does "it was not opened" imply?

The phrase "it was not opened" implies that something remained in a closed or sealed state. This could be due to various reasons, such as the absence of a key, lack of permission, or simply a decision to leave it unopened.

What are some situations where "it was not opened" is commonly used?

The phrase "it was not opened" is often used when describing a letter that remained unopened, a door that stayed locked, or a container that was not unsealed. Consider alternatives like "it remained unopened" or "it stayed closed" depending on the nuances you want to convey.