we had opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we had opened" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that an action was completed before another action in the past. Example: "By the time the meeting started, we had opened all the necessary documents for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Now that we had opened, the fun truly began.

The New Yorker

"If we had opened in Manhattan, we would have had just a few people".

The New York Times

"But some people abused the freedom which we had opened up".

The New York Times

"If we had opened in 2008, we would have been caught off guard by the market," he said.

The New York Times

We found many happy (albeit angry that we had opened up there home) bees in both hives as well as lots of honey!

Yale University

"By 2011, we had opened more than 100 stores in China, and the market accounted for 75 percent of our business".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

BH: I was standing sidestage at a Neil Young concert--we had opened up for him at Hyde Park, in London, which is a great concert series overseas every summer.

Huffington Post

"We've opened the black box.

The New York Times

We've opened up public lands.

The Washington Post

"Should we have opened with this hand?

The New York Times

We've opened a 100-acre farm.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we had opened", ensure the context clearly establishes the sequence of past events, making it clear which action happened before the other.

Common error

Avoid using "we had opened" when a simple past tense ("we opened") is sufficient. The past perfect is necessary only when indicating an action completed before another past action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we had opened" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense, indicating an action that was completed before another action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we had opened" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase in the past perfect tense. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is employed to establish a clear sequence of past events, frequently appearing in news, academic, and formal business contexts. When utilizing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the sequence of past actions to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "we commenced", "we initiated", or "we started" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we commenced

Replaces "opened" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the beginning of an activity.

we initiated

Similar to "commenced", but focuses on the act of setting something in motion.

we launched

Suggests a more vigorous or public beginning, suitable for businesses or projects.

we started

A simpler, more general alternative suitable for most contexts.

we began

Another simple and widely applicable alternative to "we had opened".

we established

Implies a more permanent or official beginning, often used for institutions.

we inaugurated

Suggests a formal or ceremonial opening, typically for buildings or initiatives.

we unlocked

Implies the removal of a barrier to entry, either figuratively or literally.

we pioneered

Focuses on being the first to open something, highlighting innovation.

we unsealed

Suggests the opening of something that was closed, revealing its contents.

FAQs

How do I use "we had opened" in a sentence?

Use "we had opened" to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. For example, "By the time the guests arrived, "we had opened" all the windows."

What can I say instead of "we had opened"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "we commenced", "we initiated", or "we started".

When should I use "we opened" instead of "we had opened"?

Use "we opened" (simple past) when describing a single action in the past. Use "we had opened" (past perfect) when you need to emphasize that the opening occurred before another past event.

Is "we have opened" a suitable alternative to "we had opened"?

No, "we have opened" is present perfect and describes an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has a present relevance, it is not interchangeable with "we had opened", which describes two actions in the past.