it was opening

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was opening" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something was in the process of happening ("The door was opening slowly as we approached").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Responding to the strike, Uber said it was opening its app to black cabs.

The Guardian

In the meantime, the firm said it was opening its showrooms by appointment only.

The Guardian - Money

Mr. Golvin said that Samsung was at a disadvantage because it was opening its store long after the competition.

The New York Times

The news comes two days after BitTorrent announced that it was opening its Bundle paygate services to all interested parties.

TechCrunch

Last Thursday, Dell announced it was opening its latest enterprise command centre for enterprise services delivery in Penang, Malaysia.

Forbes

Uber announced today that after a year of Beta testing, it was opening its first ever bug bounty program running on the HackerOne bug bounty platform.

TechCrunch

The company also said it was opening its first e-commerce fulfillment center – in FedEx's hometown of Memphis – to serve an expanded online customer base.

TechCrunch

A local internet company, Towerstream, announced it was opening up its networks and offering Manhattanites free wi-fi.

The Guardian

Last year, Uber announced it was opening up its API to let third-party partners connect with it.

TechCrunch

When Lyft announced its launch plans a few weeks ago, it was opening up with 500 drivers at launch.

TechCrunch

The committee announced last month that it was opening an investigation of HealthSouth and its former auditors, Ernst & Young.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was opening" to describe the initial phase of an event, process, or establishment when you want to convey a sense of immediacy or ongoing action.

Common error

Avoid using "it was opening" when "it opened" is more appropriate. Use "it opened" to describe a completed action in the past, whereas "it was opening" implies an ongoing process in the past.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it was opening" is to form a past continuous verb phrase. This construction describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig confirms this usage, providing examples where it describes ongoing actions or events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was opening" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an action in progress in the past. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct grammatical standing, commonly found within the News & Media domain. It serves to describe events unfolding, often conveying a sense of transition. Although grammatically correct, it's crucial to distinguish its meaning from the simple past tense "it opened". Related alternatives such as "it was commencing" or "it was beginning" can provide subtle shifts in tone or emphasis. When using "it was opening", ensure it accurately reflects an ongoing action rather than a completed one to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was commencing

Focuses on the initiation aspect with a slightly more formal tone.

it was beginning

Emphasizes the start of an event or process.

it was launching

Implies a formal introduction or start, especially for products or services.

it was debuting

Suggests a first-time appearance or performance.

it was initiating

Highlights the act of setting something in motion.

it was unfolding

Describes a gradual revealing or development.

it was unveiling

Implies a formal presentation or reveal of something new.

it marked the start

Shifts the focus to explicitly indicate the beginning of something.

the start was happening

More descriptive and less direct than the original phrase.

the inauguration took place

Focuses on a formal ceremony or beginning, often for institutions or projects.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was opening" to describe the act of something being in the process of opening. For example, "The store "it was opening" just as the first customers arrived".

What's a more formal alternative to "it was opening"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "it was commencing" or "it was inaugurating", depending on the context.

When is it better to say "it opened" instead of "it was opening"?

"It opened" is better when referring to the completed action of something opening at a specific time. "It was opening" suggests an ongoing action in the past.

What does "it was opening" imply about the state of something?

The phrase "it was opening" implies that something was in the process of becoming open but may not have been fully open yet. This could refer to a business, an event, or even a figurative opportunity.