opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, typically to indicate that something has been made accessible or has been initiated. Example: "The door opened slowly, revealing a dark room inside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One Chance did OK when it opened in the UK, with a £718,000 opening weekend (and a full total of £2.48m).

The Guardian - Film

Then he opened fire.

The New York Times

These reached boiling point in the western city of Zhanaozen in late 2011 when authorities opened fire on striking workers, leaving at least 14 dead.

The Guardian

This Hubb space opened and it was exciting because there was nowhere else like it.

The Guardian

The uniform worn by his commanding officer, General Sir Richard Nelson "Windy" Gale, is now displayed in a museum that Prince Charles opened in 2000 and the old Pegasus Bridge, replaced by a new bridge in 1994 and left to rot in a field, has been cleaned up and preserved.

The Guardian

Putting on a Poitras exhibition, says Rothkopf, "signals our commitment and fearlessness in the face of political issues, and that's something that goes back to the 30s" – the Whitney opened in 1931.

The Guardian - Arts

Police believe he opened fire at three locations in the western Idaho city of Moscow, killing his landlord, his adoptive mother and a manager at a restaurant his parents frequented.

The Guardian

Whisky was first casked here in 2013 meaning that, due to the law that whisky must be aged for at least two years, Redlands is a distillery that has opened itself up to the public without offering any of the actual stuff it makes.

The Guardian - Travel

The Italian circuit is being opened to the public from the anniversary on Thursday until 4 May.

The Guardian - Sport

In Liverpool, 1,600 men queued to volunteer on the day the recruiting office opened.

The Guardian

While a new airport has opened 60km from the city, Golden City remains unbuilt with long walls surrounding the land.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or venues, use "opened" to indicate the start or inauguration. For example, "The exhibition opened to critical acclaim."

Common error

Avoid using "opened" when the present tense is required. For example, instead of "The store opened every day at 9 AM", use "The store opens every day at 9 AM".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "opened" is that of a verb in the past tense. It describes an action that has already occurred, such as a door being opened or a meeting commencing. Ludwig provides many examples confirming this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

15%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "opened" is a versatile past tense verb form, commonly used across various contexts to indicate the commencement or revelation of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, Travel, and Sport contexts, "opened" serves to narrate past events or describe the result of a previous action. When using "opened", ensure correct tense usage and consider alternatives like "commenced" or "initiated" for specific nuances. By avoiding common errors and adhering to best practices, writers can effectively leverage "opened" to enhance clarity and precision in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commenced

Indicates the start of an event or activity, similar to "opened" when referring to a beginning.

initiated

Implies the start or setting in motion of a process or event, akin to "opened" in a formal context.

unveiled

Suggests the revealing or making public of something, similar to "opened" when disclosing information or a new product.

launched

Refers to the start of a new product, service, or venture, much like "opened" for a business or project.

inaugurated

Implies a formal opening or start, often used for buildings, exhibitions, or presidencies.

displayed

Signifies the presentation or showcasing of something, similar to "opened" in the context of an exhibition.

revealed

Indicates the making known of something secret or previously unknown.

disclosed

Means to release or uncover information.

triggered

Indicates the start or initiation of a chain of events, similar to "opened" when setting off a reaction.

presented

Highlights the action of offering something to view or consider.

FAQs

How is "opened" used in a sentence?

The word "opened" is used as the past tense of "open", indicating that something was made accessible or initiated in the past. For example, "The door "opened" slowly" or "The meeting "opened" with a welcome speech".

What are some alternatives to the word "opened"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "commenced", "initiated", or "unveiled" to replace "opened".

Which is correct, "the store opened" or "the store was opened"?

"The store "opened"" is correct when the store itself is the subject performing the action. "The store was "opened"" is correct when someone else performed the action on the store, indicating a passive construction.

What's the difference between "opened" and "open"?

"Opened" is the past tense of "open", indicating that something happened in the past. "Open" is the present tense, indicating something is currently accessible or available. For example, "The store "is open" now" versus "The store "opened" yesterday".