open

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'open' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb, noun, adjective, or adverb in English. Example sentence: His heart had been open to love ever since the day he first saw her.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's enigmatic and open to interpretation, and is the cover that works so well for The Endless River".

The Guardian - Music

"It was sort of tipped open at the front".

The Guardian - Tech

It's an open secret".

The Guardian

We hope that Google, and all search engines subject to the ruling, will open up.

The Guardian - Tech

Chope asked Cameron in the first question at prime minister's questions: "Can [he] say in response to the many concerns expressed in yesterday's debate will he ensure that civil partnerships are open to heterosexual couples on an equal basis with homosexual couples?" The prime minister replied: "I will obviously listen carefully to what he says.

The Guardian

In the Faroes, in "European" waters, thousands of pilot whales die each year, driven from the open Atlantic on to the islands' beaches and butchered.

The Guardian - Opinion

While polls remain open please refrain from disclosing your voting choices.

The Guardian - Opinion

Others, such as Rep Michele Bachmann and Senator Ted Cruz, revelled in the government shutdown, then pitched a fit when they discovered that the parks and memorials in DC's care weren't open (logic isn't a Tea Party virtue).

The Guardian - Opinion

This should make it appear as if the egg is half open (as shown in the picture).

The Guardian

2. The Competition is not open to employees or agencies of Guardian News & Media Limited ("GNM" or the "Promoter"), their group companies or family members, freelance contributors to GNM, or anyone else connected to the Competition.

The Guardian

As Iran enters a critical period in its history, with elections in June, sanctions biting and the increasing threat of an Israeli attack, the Guardian has formed a partnership with the award-winning Tehran Bureau to open a window on life in the Islamic republic.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "open" to describe a business, specify the hours of operation for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "open" to describe feelings or abstract concepts if a more specific adjective like "vulnerable" or "receptive" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "open" is as an adjective, describing a state of being unclosed or accessible. It can also function as a verb, indicating the action of making something accessible, and as a noun, as seen in examples related to sports events like the French Open. According to Ludwig, the word "open" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Travel

12%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Opinion

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "open" is a versatile term used as an adjective, verb, and noun, primarily signifying accessibility or a state of being unclosed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad usability in English. With frequent appearances in News & Media, Travel and Sport contexts, its register remains generally neutral. When writing, ensure that "open" is used with appropriate specificity, especially in abstract contexts, to avoid ambiguity. Related alternatives include "accessible", "available", and "unobstructed". Use these alternatives depending on the context to improve clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclosed

Indicates a state of not being closed, similar to "open" but emphasizes the lack of closure.

accessible

Implies the possibility of being approached or entered, akin to "open" in context of availability.

available

Suggests readiness for use or engagement, mirroring "open" when referring to opportunities or services.

unobstructed

Conveys the absence of barriers or impediments, much like "open" implies a clear path or access.

unrestricted

Highlights the lack of limitations or constraints, similar to "open" in denoting freedom of access.

unsealed

Focuses on the condition of not being sealed, akin to "open" regarding containers or documents.

unfastened

Emphasizes the lack of fastening, similar to "open" when describing doors or closures.

public

Highlights the characteristic of being accessible to all, much like "open" suggests general availability.

exposed

Suggests being uncovered or revealed, similar to "open" when referring to vulnerabilities or secrets.

receptive

Implies a willingness to consider or accept new ideas, mirroring "open" in context of attitudes.

FAQs

How can I use "open" in a sentence?

You can use "open" in sentences such as "The door is open", "Are you open to suggestions?", or "The shop will open at 9 AM".

What is a synonym for "open"?

Synonyms for "open" include "accessible", "available", and "unobstructed" depending on the specific context.

When should I use "open" vs. "opened"?

"Open" is used as an adjective to describe the current state (e.g., "the window is open"), while "opened" is the past tense or past participle of the verb "to open" (e.g., "he opened the door").

What does it mean for something to be an "open secret"?

An "open secret" refers to something that is supposedly confidential but is widely known or suspected to be true, similar to "common knowledge".