was not open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not open" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of being closed or unavailable, often in reference to a physical location or opportunity. Example: "The store was not open during the holiday weekend, so we had to find another place to shop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was not open.

The New York Times - Sports

"Domenech was not open.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, it was not open to traffic.

The New York Times

The bathroom was not open to voters.

The New Yorker

The session was not open to the news media.

The New York Times - Sports

"Adam was not open to therapy," Peter told me.

The New Yorker

The hearing was not open to the news media.

The New York Times

State-owned agricultural land was not open for development.

The Guardian

The rally was not open to the general public.

The New Yorker

It was not open to the solicitors for gadgets or brushes.

Cornell University

The event was not open to reporters, but Shea confirmed his plans in an interview beforehand.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not open" to describe a business or service, consider adding context about the reason for closure (e.g., "The store was not open due to a public holiday").

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying heavily on passive constructions like "was not open" can make your writing sound less direct. Whenever possible, consider rephrasing to use active voice for a more engaging and concise style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not open" primarily functions as a declarative statement indicating that a particular place, service, or opportunity was not accessible or available at a specific time. Ludwig's examples show diverse applications, from physical locations to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not open" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates something was closed, unavailable, or inaccessible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted and used across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. While direct synonyms like "was closed" and "was unavailable" exist, "was not open" offers a versatile way to communicate lack of access. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning and context, and consider diversifying your sentence structure to avoid overuse of passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was closed

Direct synonym indicating a state of being shut or inaccessible.

was shut

Similar to "was closed", indicating a physical barrier or termination of access.

was not accessible

Indicates a lack of accessibility, either physically or virtually.

was unavailable

Implies that something or someone could not be reached or accessed.

was not available

Broader term indicating that something could not be obtained or used.

was inaccessible

Suggests that something could not be entered or reached, often due to physical barriers.

was off-limits

Similar to "was out of bounds", implying restriction from access or use.

remained closed

Emphasizes the continuation of a closed state.

was out of bounds

Indicates that something was beyond permissible limits or boundaries.

was not functioning

Suggests that something was not operating or working correctly.

FAQs

How can I use "was not open" in a sentence?

You can use "was not open" to describe a place or entity that is closed or unavailable. For example, "The library was not open on Sunday" or "The discussion "was not open to compromise"".

What's the difference between "was not open" and "was closed"?

While similar, "was closed" typically refers to a physical space being shut, while "was not open" can also refer to opportunities or discussions. For instance, a store "was closed", but a negotiation "was not open to legal challenge".

What are some alternatives to "was not open"?

Alternatives include "was unavailable", "was inaccessible", or simply "was closed depending" on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "were not open" instead of "was not open"?

"Were not open" is the plural form. Use "was not open" for singular subjects (e.g., "The store was not open"), and "were not open" for plural subjects (e.g., "The stores were not open").