was opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was opened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something has been opened or that an action has been completed. For example, "The window was opened by a gust of wind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was opened….

The New Yorker

since the canal was opened.

The New Yorker

A gate was opened.

The Guardian - Sport

Champagne was opened.

The New York Times - Sports

It was opened - £5.

The Guardian

A bottle of Japanese champagne was opened.

The Economist

The present firm was opened in 1941.

The New Yorker

It was opened by Vincent van Gogh".

The New Yorker

The Tate Liverpool was opened in 1988.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Columbus State University was opened in 1958.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A new store was opened in Berlin.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the establishment of institutions or facilities, use "was opened" to clearly state when they became accessible or operational to the public.

Common error

Avoid mixing past and present tenses when describing events. If you start with "was opened", maintain past tense throughout the description to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was opened" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action (opening) was performed on a subject by an unspecified actor. It's commonly used to describe the commencement of operations or accessibility of something, like a building or event. Ludwig AI confirms this widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

27%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was opened" is a versatile and frequently used passive verb phrase that clearly communicates the commencement or accessibility of something. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication, but is more prevalent in news, encyclopedias and wiki, according to the analysis. For alternatives, consider phrases like "became operational" or "was established", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure consistent tense usage to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became operational

Focuses on the commencement of operations or functionality.

was inaugurated

Highlights a formal or ceremonial opening.

was established

Emphasizes the founding or creation of something.

commenced operations

More formal, indicating the start of business or activities.

was launched

Often used for projects, products, or initiatives.

was initiated

Highlights the starting point or beginning of a process.

began functioning

Stresses the start of functionality or activity.

was started

A simpler, more direct way of saying something began.

came into existence

Focuses on the creation or formation of something.

was activated

Implies that something was made active or functional.

FAQs

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

Use "was opened" in the passive voice to indicate that something was made accessible or started operating. For example, "The new museum "was opened" to the public last week".

What are some alternatives to "was opened"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "became operational", "was inaugurated", or "was established".

Is there a difference between "was opened" and "opened"?

Yes, "was opened" is in the passive voice, indicating that something was opened by someone or something. "Opened" in the active voice implies that someone or something directly performed the action of opening, like "The manager opened the store".

Which is correct, "the store was opened" or "the store opened"?

Both are correct but have slightly different meanings. "The store was opened" emphasizes the action being done to the store, whereas "the store opened" focuses on the store's action of beginning operations. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.