was never opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was never opened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something, such as a letter, package, or document, has not been opened at any point in time. Example: "The letter was never opened, so its contents remain a mystery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But a Dubai office was never opened.

The New York Times

It was originally to have starred Anne Bancroft in a Signature production directed by Anthony Page in 2002 but was never opened to critics.

The New York Times

Although cellphone records showed that the message was never opened, prosecutors said she was unable to resist trying to do so.

The New York Times - Tech

That file was never opened further, however; the following day his father himself had a huge stroke, entered a coma and died five days later.

The Guardian - Books

Cooler heads and better drivers prevailed, and it was never opened for automobile traffic, even after the apartment house on the south side of the slotlike space, 120 Haven Avenue, was built in the 1910s.

The New York Times

"Even after I had my son Aaron I remained at my parents' house so I could save up the €20,000 deposit to get this place," she said, pointing to the cracks in her living room ceiling and the car park below, which was never opened because it did not meet fire safety standards.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Cases are never opened.

The New Yorker

Doors were never opened quite the same way again.

The New York Times

A sombre, unmoving light in rooms where the windows were never opened, the curtains always closed.

The New Yorker

"I looked, and I said, 'He's never opened anything,' " Mr. Winn said.

The New York Times

"We were never questioned, and our locked suitcases were never opened," he told a House panel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or procedure, use "was never opened" to indicate a step that was intentionally or unintentionally skipped or omitted.

Common error

Avoid using "was never opened" when you actually mean something actively prevented the opening. For instance, say 'security protocols prevented the file from being opened' instead of 'the file was never opened' if security was the cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was never opened" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (opening) did not occur. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It highlights the absence of the opening action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was never opened" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that effectively conveys the absence of an opening action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. As such, it is suitable for a wide range of writing styles, from news reporting to academic discussions. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the intended meaning and that the context aligns with the notion of something remaining untouched or unaccessed. Consider alternative phrases, such as ""remained unopened"" or "stayed sealed", to provide further nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained unopened

Focuses on the state of being unopened over time.

was not opened at all

Emphasizes the complete absence of opening.

was never unsealed

Specifically refers to the absence of breaking a seal.

stayed sealed

Highlights the unbroken seal.

was kept closed

Emphasizes the action of keeping something shut.

was left untouched

Suggests a broader lack of interaction, including not opening.

was never unlocked

Highlights that the object was never released from a locked state.

was not accessed

Focuses on the lack of access to something.

was never entered

Specifies no access to space or system.

was preserved intact

Implies that something was kept in its original state, including not being opened.

FAQs

How can I use "was never opened" in a sentence?

You can use "was never opened" to describe something that remained in its initial, unopened condition. For example: "The package "remained unopened" because the recipient had moved."

What are some alternatives to "was never opened"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""remained unopened"", "was not opened at all", or "stayed sealed", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was never open" instead of "was never opened"?

While "was never open" can sometimes be used to describe a state of not being open (e.g., a store), "was never opened" specifically refers to the action of opening something. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "was never opened" and "remained closed"?

"Was never opened" implies the object in question was never in the process of opening, whereas "remained closed" suggests that an object was already closed and that its status did not change. It stayed sealed.