unfastened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfastened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been released, opened, or detached, such as clothing, straps, or fasteners. Example: "She unfastened her seatbelt as soon as the car came to a stop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

He added a short blue dress to the work that was unfastened all the way down the front and also placed a different model's head on the body.

Independent

He quickly unfastened his eagle-buckled belt and let his jeans drop.

The New Yorker

A key witness, Ludwik Lubienski, told the journalist John Coates that he personally unfastened the injured pilot's lifejacket following the crash, yet the pilot later denied putting it on.

The New Yorker

He sank into a black leather chair and unfastened the top button on his shirt.

The New Yorker

For the first two or three days, Young James refused to be unfastened from Mary's hip.

The New Yorker

Had it not been for him, I might have been gone by the time Becky unfastened her seat belt, but as it was I was only four rows away, standing, as it turned out, right beside the bulkhead.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

For a long time, those credentials served them well, but now they are becoming a liability and it may be too late to unfasten the harness.

The Guardian - Opinion

It also signalled that it might use the anniversary to announce a tightening of the trade embargo against Cuba, unfastening the economic lifelines proffered under the Clinton administration.

The Economist

I tried to unfasten his belt, but I could not reach it.

Independent

Unsheathing his knife, he opened the bags, scattered the straw for his team to bed down on, and then began unfastening the Velcro straps around the dogs' booties, which he tossed into a pile.

The New Yorker

"Ghost," "Leap of Faith," and "Jesus Christ Superstar" all delivered aural assaults, while the cast of that other Jesus show, "Godspell," gleefully leaped into the crowd, causing poor Andrew Garfield's mouth to unfasten in terror and Bernadette Peters to clap along with a single-mindedness that said: "Don't you altar boys dare pull me out my seat".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfastened" when describing the action of releasing or detaching something that was previously secured. For clarity, specify what was unfastened (e.g., "unfastened the seat belt" rather than just "unfastened").

Common error

Avoid using "unfastened" in overly abstract or metaphorical contexts where a more fitting verb like "released", "detached", or "freed" would be more appropriate. "Unfastened" is best reserved for physical connections.

Linguistic Context

The word "unfastened" primarily functions as a past participle adjective, describing a state of being released or detached. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing objects such as seat belts, clothing, and other fasteners that have been opened.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "unfastened" commonly functions as a past participle adjective to describe something detached, loosened, or released. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, especially News & Media. While versatile, it is most effective for describing physical releases or detachments and less so in abstract contexts. Remember to specify what exactly is "unfastened" for clarity. Related terms include "loosened", "detached", and "released", each carrying subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undone

A general term for something that has been reversed or detached.

loosened

Suggests something has become less tight or secure.

released

Indicates something has been freed from a restraint.

detached

Implies a complete separation from something.

disengaged

Suggests a removal from being actively involved or connected.

disconnected

Implies a breaking of a connection between two things.

untied

Specifically refers to something that was tied and is now free.

unbuttoned

Refers to undoing buttons, particularly on clothing.

unzipped

Specifically refers to opening a zipper.

opened

Suggests something that was closed is now accessible.

FAQs

How can I use "unfastened" in a sentence?

You can use "unfastened" to describe the action of releasing or detaching something, such as "He "unfastened his seat belt"" or "She "unfastened the straps of her bag"".

What are some alternatives to the word "unfastened"?

Alternatives to "unfastened" include "loosened", "detached", "untied", "unbuttoned", or "released", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the button is unfastened" or "the button is unfasten"?

"The button is unfastened" is correct. "Unfastened" is the past participle form of the verb "unfasten" and functions as an adjective here.

What is the difference between "unfastened" and "loosened"?

"Unfastened" implies a complete release or detachment, while "loosened" suggests that something is less tight but not necessarily completely detached. For example, a screw can be loosened but not unfastened, while a seatbelt can be unfastened.