was previously opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was previously opened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, such as a document or a container, has been opened at an earlier time before the current reference point. Example: "The file was previously opened by another user, so please check for any unsaved changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Other parts of the world that might have an active interest in the outcome of a merger include South Korea, a vibrant Internet economy where an antitrust investigation into Microsoft was previously opened.

The New York Times

The closed form of the crystal structure of CalA (PDB ID: 2VEO) was previously opened by a 10 ns molecular dynamics simulation.[ 18] By using the YASARA software[ 33] starting from the catalytic Ser184, tetrahedral intermediates of (R)- and (S -1-phenylethyl butyrate were built into the open S -1-phenylethyl

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And the app will show "open box" inventory available at any particular Best Buy store, where the customer can get a discount on a product that has been previously opened.

TechCrunch

She was like Gloria, driving through gates that were previously opened only to men, paving the way for women.

Huffington Post

And if any food has been previously opened or bitten do not eat it.

WikiHow

The Field 1 ocean swimming beach, which was previously open all summer weekends, will be open only three major weekends.

The New York Times

If so, shouldn't the shareholders get a reduction in maintenance fees because many of us can't use a space that was previously open to all?

The New York Times

And even those who are not immortalised in the myrmicine literature, as the CAS proposed, may still get a warm glow from the feeling that they are making a contribution to the advancement of knowledge in a way which was previously open only to philanthropists with rather fatter wallets.

The Economist

The Initiative was previously open to only governments and corporations pledging more $100,000.

Science Magazine

And OneRiot will now leverage the realtime search technology it has developed to open up its ad platform to the public (it was previously open to select partners).

TechCrunch

The Dallas-born singer and songwriter was previously open about her lesbian experiences and even had a strong gay following.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was previously opened", ensure the context clearly indicates what "was" opened. This helps to avoid ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was previously opened" when the subsequent action implies it is still currently open. Instead, consider using "had been opened" to clearly separate the past action from the present state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was previously opened" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that an object or entity underwent the action of being opened at some point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It signifies a state resulting from a prior action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was previously opened" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something had been opened before a specific point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid English construction. The phrase has a neutral register, fitting various contexts, including news, science, and general information. Common alternatives include "had been opened before" and "was opened earlier". It's crucial to ensure clarity regarding what "was" opened to avoid ambiguity, and to use it when referring to something effectively open already, otherwise consider using "had been opened".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been opened before

Rephrases the original using 'had been' to emphasize the completion of the action before a specific point in time.

was opened earlier

Uses 'earlier' to directly indicate that the opening occurred at a prior time.

had been unsealed already

Focuses on the 'unsealing' aspect as the prior action.

was unlocked beforehand

Implies the action of unlocking took place at an earlier time.

was accessed previously

Highlights the action of 'accessing' something at a prior time.

was made accessible earlier

Highlights the action of 'making accessible' something at a prior time.

was revealed before

Focuses on the 'revealing' aspect as the prior action.

had its opening prior to

Rephrases to emphasize the 'opening' event and its timing.

saw its initial opening

Emphasizes the 'initial' nature of the opening event.

experienced a prior opening

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a previous opening event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was previously opened" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "had been opened before" or "was accessed previously". These options add a level of sophistication to your writing.

What's the difference between "was previously opened" and "had been opened"?

"Was previously opened" indicates a past action with less emphasis on its completion relative to another past event. "Had been opened before" emphasizes that the opening was completed before a subsequent event in the past. Choose based on which relationship you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "was previously opened" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "was previously opened" is grammatically correct and understandable. However, depending on the context, alternatives like "had been opened already" or "was opened earlier" might be more appropriate.

Can I use "was previously opened" when referring to digital files or documents?

Yes, "was previously opened" is suitable for digital files or documents. For example, "The document "was previously opened" by another user."