was being opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being opened" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that was in progress. For example, "The door was being opened slowly when I saw the figure in the hallway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The container was being opened.

Independent

(The service was suspended as the retail shop was being opened).

The New York Times

People had heard rumours that the Wall was being opened, but then again, those rumours were heard every other day.

The Guardian

Before long, Hessler discovered that his mail was being opened, and his classroom comments reported to the authorities.

The New York Times - Books

The retractable roof was being opened when two of the three panels collided, causing a tear of about 20 feet.

The New York Times - Sports

American officials said recent signals had made them sure that the Qatar office was being opened by Mullah Omar's true intermediaries.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"Equipment is being opened.

The New York Times

They were kissing, and Champagne bottles were being opened.

The New York Times

An additional 2,000-person 2,000-personeing opened at Rutgershelter

The New York Times

All aspects of the energy market are being opened up.

The Economist

Vast fisheries are being opened to commercial harvesting, without regulation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being opened" to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. For example, "The package "was being opened" when the phone rang."

Common error

Avoid using "was being opened" when you mean to say something "was opened" (simple past, completed action) or "is being opened" (present continuous, ongoing action). Using the wrong tense can confuse the timing of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being opened" functions as a passive verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It indicates an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past, as Ludwig shows with different examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was being opened" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase in the past continuous tense. Ludwig confirms its validity, and it is suitable for describing an action that was in progress in the past. While versatile across contexts, it appears most frequently in "News & Media". When writing, ensure the correct tense is used to avoid confusion with similar phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was in the process of being opened

Emphasizes the duration of the opening action.

was getting opened

More informal and suggests a gradual opening.

was starting to open

Implies the beginning of the opening action.

was being unsealed

Focuses on the removal of a seal or closure.

was being unlocked

Specific to removing a lock.

was undergoing opening

Formal and emphasizes a process.

was being accessed

Highlights gaining access, not just the physical opening.

was having its opening initiated

Formal and stresses the initiation of the opening process.

was revealed

Indicates that something is made known or visible by the removal of a covering.

was uncovered

Similar to 'revealed', suggesting that something is being exposed.

FAQs

How do I use "was being opened" in a sentence?

Use "was being opened" to describe an action that /s/was+in+progress at a certain time in the past. For example, "The letter "was being opened" when I walked in."

What's a good alternative to "was being opened"?

Depending on the context, you could use "was in the process of being opened", "was getting opened", or "was starting to open".

Is it correct to say "was being opened" or should I use "had been opened"?

Both are correct but have different meanings. "Was being opened" describes an action /s/was+in+progress at a specific time, while "had been opened" indicates an action completed before a specific time.

Can "was being opened" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "was being opened" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives like "was getting opened" may be more common in informal speech.