the gate open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the gate open" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that the gate is currently in an open position, but it lacks the necessary verb form. Example: "I noticed that the gate is open, so we can enter the garden."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

— You left the gate open.

The New Yorker

Can you slip the gate open for us?" Drummond said, the shutter of her camera clicking.

The New Yorker

"Gertrude," I say, and grab her sleeve, because we've never seen the gate open.

The New Yorker

With the gate open, she was off and running with spectacular results.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Stewart, at DogTracs, said he had lost his yellow Lab, Barney, when a gardener left the gate open.

The New York Times - Tech

She will still be a gatekeeper, but she plans to nudge the gate open a bit wider.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The gate opens.

The New Yorker

The gate opened.

The New York Times - Sports

The gate opens, but it is only Tony de Groot, an admirer.

The New Yorker

The gate opened and in galloped fresh hordes.

The Guardian - Books

We pick up our local guide and the gate opens.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a gate's condition, ensure you use a complete sentence. For example, instead of saying "the gate open", say "the gate is open" or "the gate remains open".

Common error

A frequent mistake is to omit the verb "to be" (is, are, was, were) when describing a state of being. Avoid phrases like "the gate open" and instead use "the gate is open" for grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the gate open" functions as a descriptive phrase, but it lacks a necessary verb, typically a form of "to be", to grammatically connect the subject and the adjective. Ludwig shows instances where this phrase appears in various contexts, though it is not grammatically complete.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "the gate open" is used to describe a gate that is not closed, it is grammatically incomplete in standard written English. Ludwig's analysis reveals that this phrase appears in various sources, but it is recommended to use a complete sentence such as "the gate is open" for grammatical correctness. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical deficiency, suggesting that including a verb is necessary. Using this phrase might be acceptable in informal contexts, but it's best to opt for grammatically sound alternatives in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the gate is open

Adds the verb "is" to make a complete and grammatically correct sentence.

the open gate

Reorders the words to form a noun phrase describing a gate that is in an open state.

leave the gate open

Adds a verb to indicate the act of causing the gate to be open.

the gate remains open

Uses "remains" to suggest the gate has been open for some time.

the gate was left open

Changes the tense and voice to indicate the gate's state as a result of a past action.

opening the gate

Gerund form emphasizes the action of opening the gate rather than its state.

gate's opening

Noun phrase describing the act or event of the gate opening.

the gate being open

Uses a gerund phrase to describe the state of the gate.

the gate is ajar

Replaces "open" with "ajar", indicating a slightly open gate.

the gateway is accessible

Shifts focus to the accessibility of the gateway due to the gate's state.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "the gate open" in a sentence?

The phrase "the gate open" is grammatically incomplete. To use it correctly, add a verb, such as "The gate is open" or "The gate was left open". Consider using "the gate is open", which is grammatically sound.

What are some alternatives to "the gate open" that are grammatically correct?

Instead of "the gate open", you could say ""the gate is open"", "the gate remains open", or "the open gate" depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to say "the gate open"?

While "the gate open" might be understood in informal speech or as a shortened description, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Using phrases like ""the gate is open"" is more accurate.

What's the difference between "the gate open" and "the gate is open"?

"The gate open" is an incomplete phrase missing a verb, whereas ""the gate is open"" is a complete sentence with a subject and a verb, making it grammatically correct. Therefore, the latter is preferable in formal writing.