were no longer open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were no longer open" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something that was previously accessible or available is now closed or unavailable. Example: "The stores were no longer open by the time we arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It was only then, when all other forms of resistance were no longer open to us, that we turned to armed struggle.

Independent

It was only when all other forms of resistance were no longer open to us that we turned to armed struggle". If Botha truly wants a political solution to South Africa's continued turmoil, Mandela said, the government should legalize the African National Congress, release political prisoners, allow exiles to return, permit free political activity and commit itself to end apartheid.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

First, the can is no longer open to the air, since water is blocking the opening.

WikiHow

Their one sanctuary is no longer open.

Independent

They are no longer open.

The New York Times

State officials said the pharmacy has stopped distributing the supplement and was no longer open.

The New York Times

The restaurant Around the Clock, on Third Avenue at East Ninth Street, is no longer open around the clock, either.

The New York Times

The wait-list for vouchers in many cities is as long as six years, and in some places the lists are no longer open.

University of California, Berkeley

And a three-room resort in the Kimberley region in Australia, that is part of Kuri Bay, one of country's oldest pearl farms, is no longer open.

The New York Times

If you universally make people pay for your content it follows that you are no longer open to the rest of the world, except at a cost.

The Guardian

Last week he wrote about the vasectomy he had 25 years ago, and how, given his marriage is no longer "open to life", his union falls down on what the no campaign holds up as an ideal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were no longer open" when you want to clearly state that something that used to be accessible or available is now closed or unavailable. It's a straightforward and easily understood phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "was no longer open" when referring to multiple subjects. "Was" is singular; use "were" for plural subjects or when referring to something in the past subjunctive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were no longer open" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of closure or unavailability. Ludwig confirms this usage, highlighting its role in conveying that something previously accessible is now inaccessible.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were no longer open" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to communicate that something has closed or become unavailable. Ludwig confirms that it's primarily used to describe a change in accessibility. The phrase is versatile, fitting into both neutral and formal contexts, as seen in news and academic sources. While alternatives like "had closed" or "were unavailable" exist, "were no longer open" offers a clear and direct way to convey the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had closed

Focuses on the action of closing being completed in the past.

were now closed

Emphasizes the current state of being closed.

were no longer accessible

Highlights the lack of access to something.

were now inaccessible

Emphasizes the current state of being inaccessible.

were shut down

Suggests a more forceful or permanent closure.

ceased operations

Focuses on the termination of activities or services.

were discontinued

Indicates that something is no longer being produced or offered.

were unavailable

Simply states that something is not available.

were out of service

Highlights that something is temporarily or permanently not functioning.

were terminated

Indicates a formal ending or cancellation.

FAQs

What does "were no longer open" mean?

The phrase "were no longer open" indicates that something which was previously accessible or available is now closed, inaccessible, or unavailable.

What can I say instead of "were no longer open"?

You can use alternatives like "had closed", "were now closed", or "were unavailable" depending on the specific context.

Is "was no longer open" grammatically correct?

Yes, but only when referring to a singular subject. For plural subjects, use "were no longer open". Example: "The store was no longer open", versus "The stores were no longer open".

How to use "were no longer open" in a sentence?

You can use the phrase to describe establishments, opportunities, or even abstract concepts that are no longer accessible. For example: "The restaurants were no longer open after midnight", or "Those options were no longer open to us".