it was shut

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was shut" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was closed or not open at a specific time in the past. Example: "When I arrived at the store, I found that it was shut for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After achieving its goal it was shut down while the primary science mission of Mars Express got underway.

Acta Astronautica

It was shut down and its assets were sold.

The Economist

It was shut in 2006.

The New York Times - Food

But it was shut.

The Guardian - Travel

Then it was shut.

The Guardian - Sport

It was shut down in 2014.

The Economist

It was shut down on Wednesday evening.

The New York Times

Again, it was shut down.

The New York Times

A week later it was shut.

The Guardian

But on this day it was shut.

The Guardian

It was shut down this week for massive upgrades.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was shut" to clearly and concisely indicate that something was closed or unavailable at a specific time.

Common error

Avoid using "it was shut" in highly formal contexts, where phrases like "it was closed" or "it was terminated" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was shut" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something was in a closed state at a particular point in time. Ludwig examples confirm its usage across a wide range of contexts. The phrase typically describes a state of being closed or non-operational.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was shut" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something was closed or unavailable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable and correct. It sees frequent use in News & Media, as well as Academic contexts. While appropriate for general communication, more formal settings may require alternatives like "it was closed". Understanding these nuances can help ensure clarity and appropriateness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had been closed

Emphasizes the state of being closed prior to a certain time.

it was closed down

Indicates a more deliberate act of shutting something, often permanently.

it was not open

A straightforward and literal way to state that something was not accessible.

it was unavailable

Focuses on the lack of access or service provided.

it was out of service

Commonly used for equipment or services that are temporarily or permanently not functioning.

it was terminated

Suggests a formal or official ending or closure.

it ceased operations

Used for businesses or organizations that have stopped functioning.

it was no longer in operation

A more formal way to indicate that something has stopped functioning.

it has been discontinued

Implies that something has been purposefully stopped or phased out.

it was deactivated

Suggests that something was actively made non-functional.

FAQs

What does "it was shut" mean?

The phrase "it was shut" simply means something was closed or not open at a particular time. It indicates a state of being closed or unavailable.

What can I say instead of "it was shut"?

You can use alternatives like "it was closed", "it was unavailable", or "it was out of service" depending on the context.

Is "it was shut" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was shut" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows the standard subject-verb-adjective structure.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it was shut"?

The phrase "it was shut" is appropriate in many contexts, especially when describing a temporary or unexpected closure. More formal situations might benefit from using alternatives like "it was closed" or "it was deactivated".