was previously closed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was previously closed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state or condition that existed before a certain point in time, often in contexts related to places, events, or situations that have since changed. Example: "The park was previously closed for renovations, but it has now reopened to the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Under the program, banks could become insurance companies as well, entering a field that was previously closed to them.

The New York Times

Best of all, they also get to borrow large amounts of money from a special government fund that was previously closed to them.

The New Yorker

While this statement itself makes no logical sense, it reflects how the class' material was able to open a mind that was previously closed to evolutionary theory.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The bay was previously closed between 2001 and 2005, after a series of landslides made the area too dangerous to access.

BBC

Oracle, too, made another open source announcement today: the company is going to move the Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) platform, which was previously closed source, into the Eclipse Foundation and the code is now on GitHub.

TechCrunch

Special Agent Bill Williger said in June however: "The relationship between HSI and COAST has opened a door that was previously closed in combating human trafficking".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The studies that have been done suggest there may be smaller numbers of women in these fields, the fields that were previously closed".

The Guardian

In reality, the revolution is about marginalised citizens muscling their way on to the political stage and practising collective sovereignty over domains that were previously closed to them.

The Guardian - Books

The Supreme Court's ruling will therefore change the status quo in many parts of the country, opening federal courthouse doors that were previously closed to parents.

The New York Times

Col. Charles Young Playground 6.42 acres at Lenox Avenue and 145th Street Col. Charles Young (1864-1922) was a distinguished Army officer, cartographer, teacher and diplomat who pioneered the entrance of African-Americans into fields that were previously closed to them.

The New York Times

And in areas of specialist teacher shortage, specialist teaching could be provided for groups of schools online, giving more children the opportunity to learn subjects that were previously closed to them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was previously closed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is now open or accessible. This provides a sense of change or progress.

Common error

Avoid using "was previously closed" when referring to something that is still closed. Ensure that the subject has been reopened or made accessible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was previously closed" functions as a descriptive element within a sentence, indicating a past state or condition. It modifies a noun or subject by specifying that it used to be inaccessible or shut, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was previously closed" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for indicating a past state of being shut or inaccessible. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples show that it's commonly used in contexts such as news, science, and formal communications. While not overly frequent, its straightforward nature makes it versatile across different registers. Remember to use it accurately by ensuring the subject it describes has since been reopened or made accessible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was previously inaccessible

Reiterates inaccessibility, providing a direct synonym for the original phrase.

had been formerly shut

Emphasizes the past state of being shut, using "formerly" to highlight the prior condition.

was earlier inaccessible

Focuses on the lack of accessibility, using "earlier" to specify the previous time frame.

had once been off-limits

Uses "off-limits" to denote restriction, with "once" indicating a past condition.

was formerly unavailable

Highlights the lack of availability, with "formerly" specifying the previous state.

was once closed off

Uses "closed off" to convey a sense of isolation or inaccessibility, indicating a past state.

used to be shut down

Emphasizes the action of shutting down, indicating a past closure.

was at one time restricted

Focuses on the restriction, with "at one time" indicating a past limitation.

had earlier remained shut

Highlights the state of remaining shut, with "earlier" indicating the prior condition.

had been earlier sealed

Uses "sealed" to suggest closure, with "earlier" specifying the past.

FAQs

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

You can use "was previously closed" to describe a location, institution, or system that has been reopened or made accessible. For example, "The library "was previously closed" for renovations but is now open to the public".

What are some alternatives to "was previously closed"?

Alternatives include "had been formerly shut", "was earlier inaccessible", or "had once been off-limits", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is previously closed"?

No, "is previously closed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""was previously closed"" because it refers to a past state.

What is the difference between "was previously closed" and "is now open"?

"Was previously closed" describes a past condition of being shut, while "is now open" describes the current condition of being accessible. They can be used together to show a change in status.