swung open

USAGE SUMMARY

"swung open" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that has been opened by swinging it open (as opposed to pushing or pulling). For example: "He opened the door by swinging it open with one swift motion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The door swung open.

The New Yorker

The doors swung open.

The New York Times - Magazine

It swung open to my trembling fingers.

Independent

One of the trailer doors swung open.

The New Yorker

One swung open, then shut, swallowing Clara.

The New Yorker

Then the gate swung open.

The Guardian - Books

The front door swung open.

The New Yorker

A large reinforced metal door swung open.

The Guardian

At eleven, the gates swung open.

The New Yorker

The adamantine portals (not really) swung open.

The New York Times

The first two swung open, but the third held fast.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swung open" to vividly describe a door, gate, or other hinged object opening with a sweeping motion. It adds a sense of action and immediacy to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "swung open" to describe things that don't open on a hinge, such as sliding doors or curtains. Use alternatives like "slid open" or "parted" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swung open" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of something opening with a swinging motion. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples show it commonly modifies nouns like 'door', 'gate', and 'portals'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swung open" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes an object opening on a hinge, often with a sweeping motion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various writing contexts. For enhanced descriptiveness, consider alternatives such as "flew open" or "burst open", but avoid using it for non-hinged objects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flew open

Focuses on the speed and suddenness of the opening action.

burst open

Emphasizes a forceful or sudden opening, often implying a lack of control.

sprang open

Suggests a rapid, almost energetic opening, like a spring being released.

was flung open

Implies that something or someone caused the object to open forcefully.

glided open

Describes a smooth and effortless opening motion.

slid open

Indicates that something opened by sliding, rather than swinging.

revealed itself

Shifts the focus from the act of opening to what becomes visible when it does.

became visible

Focuses on the appearance of something previously hidden, not necessarily involving a swinging motion.

opened wide

Simply indicates that something opened to a large extent, without specifying how.

parted to reveal

Suggests a division into two parts to show something.

FAQs

How can I use "swung open" in a sentence?

You can use "swung open" to describe the motion of something that opens on a hinge. For instance, "The door "swung open", revealing a dimly lit room."

What's a more descriptive alternative to "swung open"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "flew open" to emphasize speed or "burst open" to indicate force.

Is it correct to say "swung opened" instead of "swung open"?

No, "swung opened" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""swung open"", where "swung" is the past participle of "swing" and "open" acts as an adjective.

What kind of objects can be described as having "swung open"?

The phrase ""swung open"" is typically used for objects with hinges, such as doors, gates, and lids. It implies a sweeping or rotating motion during the opening process.