it was opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was opened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a situation in which something is opened, such as a door, window, or book. For example: Mary walked into the room, and saw that the window had been opened. She found out later that it was opened by her cat.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was opened in 1969 and changed its name in 2003.

Wikipedia

It was opened….

The New Yorker

It was opened - £5.

The Guardian

It was opened by Vincent van Gogh".

The New Yorker

It was opened in 1993.

The Guardian

It was opened in 1900 by Mark Twain.

The New York Times

It was opened by the Queen.

The Guardian - Opinion

When it was opened, two shelves magically unfolded.

The New York Times

It was opened in 1875 at 413 Bleeker.

The New Yorker

It was opened to vehicle traffic in 1957.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was opened to the public in 1900.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was opened", ensure the subject (the 'it') is clearly defined in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying "It was opened", specify "The new museum was opened".

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "it was opened" when an active voice construction would be more direct and engaging. Instead of "The door was opened by John", consider "John opened the door".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it was opened" is to form a passive voice construction. It indicates that something (the 'it') underwent the action of being opened. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

18%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was opened" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, predominantly functioning as a passive construction to describe the initiation or unveiling of something. Ludwig AI confirms this. The phrase's register is generally neutral, lending itself to diverse contexts, especially in news, encyclopedias, and wikis. While acceptable and common, writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for more direct and engaging communication. Understanding these subtleties allows for effective and contextually appropriate use of "it was opened" in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was inaugurated

Replaces "opened" with a more formal term, often used for official ceremonies or the beginning of a significant project.

it was initiated

Emphasizes the start or setting in motion of a process or event.

it was launched

Suggests a beginning with considerable fanfare or a planned start, often used for products or initiatives.

it was formally introduced

Highlights the official presentation of something new.

it was established

Implies setting up something with a degree of permanence or formality.

it was unveiled

Indicates a reveal of something previously hidden or unknown, often with a sense of anticipation.

it commenced operations

A more formal and business-oriented way of saying something began functioning.

it started functioning

A straightforward way to express the beginning of operation.

it became operational

Focuses on the ability to function, highlighting readiness and utility.

it began

A simple and direct alternative, suitable for many contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "it was opened" to describe something being inaugurated, like "The exhibition "it was opened" to the public yesterday".

What are some alternatives to "it was opened"?

You can use alternatives like "it was inaugurated", "it was launched", or "it was established" depending on the specific context.

When is it better to use the active voice instead of "it was opened"?

If you want to emphasize who or what performed the action, use the active voice. For example, instead of "The package "it was opened" by customs officials", say "Customs officials opened the package".

Is "it was opened by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was opened by" is grammatically correct and introduces the agent performing the action. For instance, "The new library "it was opened" by the mayor".