was closed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was closed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used as the past tense of the verb "close." You can use it when describing events that happened or situations that existed in the past. For example: "The store was closed when I arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The window was closed.

The New York Times

The door was closed.

The New Yorker

Every school was closed.

Independent

The investigation was closed.

The New York Times

The coffin was closed.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everything was closed".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

His throat was closing.

The New York Times

Farms are being closed.

The Economist

Her eyes are closed.

The New Yorker

Should loopholes be closed?

The New York Times

Hotels were closed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was closed" to clearly indicate a past state of being not open or accessible. Ensure the context makes it clear what "was closed", such as "The store was closed."

Common error

Avoid using "was closed" when you mean to say someone actively closed something. For example, instead of "The door was closed by itself", say "Someone closed the door" or "The door closed" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was closed" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being closed. As Ludwig confirms, it is a grammatically sound way to express a state of being not open.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was closed" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a past state of being not open or accessible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using "was closed", ensure the context is clear and avoid confusing it with active voice constructions. For variety, consider using alternatives like "had been shut" or "remained shut", but be mindful of subtle differences in meaning. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately use "was closed" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been shut

Uses 'shut' instead of 'closed', implying a similar state of being not open.

remained shut

Emphasizes the continued state of being closed over a period.

had been terminated

Replaces 'closed' with 'terminated', indicating a more formal ending or conclusion.

had ceased operation

Focuses on the cessation of activity rather than the physical closure.

was not operational

Highlights the lack of functionality or activity.

was inaccessible

Indicates that something could not be accessed, often due to being closed.

was out of service

Specifically indicates that a service or system was unavailable.

was unavailable

A general term indicating that something was not available or accessible.

had been completed

Implies that something was brought to an end rather than physically closed.

was concluded

Suggests a formal ending or resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "was closed" in a sentence?

Use "was closed" to describe something that was not open or accessible in the past. For example, "The museum "was closed" due to renovations."

What are some alternatives to using "was closed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "had been shut", "remained shut", or "was unavailable".

Is it correct to say "was closed" or should I use another tense?

"Was closed" is grammatically correct for describing a past state. The appropriateness of other tenses depends on the specific context you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was closed" and "is closed"?

"Was closed" indicates a past state of being closed, while "is closed" indicates a present state. For example, "The store was closed yesterday" vs. "The store is closed today".