The door was being opened. vs The door was opened.

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "The door was being opened" implies that the action of opening the door was ongoing or in progress at a specific point in the past. On the other hand, "The door was opened" indicates that the door had already been fully opened at a specific time in the past.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 5894 views

The door was being opened.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate an ongoing action in the past.

This phrase is used to describe an action that was in progress at a specific point in the past. It emphasizes the continuous nature of the action.

Examples:

When I entered the room, the door was being opened by a delivery person.
At that moment, the door was being opened slowly and cautiously.
The door was being opened as I approached the house.

Show examples from the web [+]

.9.2 A watertight door may be opened during navigation to permit the passage of passengers or crew, or when work in the immediate vicinity of the door necessitates it being opened.
It prevents the door from being opened unless you put in the code.
'I called at Molly's flat each day, but the door was never opened.
There were numerous instances of her saying things that were not accurate that opened the door to criticism that she was being untruthful and inaccurate.
No, no floodgates are being opened.
Non-destruction of this mark may be tolerated only when the packaging is destroyed by being opened.
Meanwhile, ten floors above, the vault is being opened.
The belt assembly shall be removed from the test trolley without the buckle being opened.
Mailman noticed that the door was forced.
I checked with the guard and the door was locked.
The door was locked with a rather complex spell.
Which means the door was closed when Anton was shot.
I did knock, the door was open.
Neighbor called it in when she noticed the door was open.
The line at the door was crazy.
The door was then open for Christmas romance.
I tried to leave, but the door was locked.
In my defense, the door was unlocked.
The door was unlocked, so I just...
The door was open, and I...

Alternatives:

The door was in the process of being opened.
The door was in the act of being opened.
The door was in the course of being opened.
The door was getting opened.
The door was becoming opened.

The door was opened.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that the door had been fully opened at a specific time in the past.

This phrase is used to describe a completed action in the past. It indicates that the door was fully open at a specific point in time.

Examples:

When I arrived, the door was opened and inviting.
The door was opened by the time I got there.
He realized the door was opened by someone else.

Show examples from the web [+]

'I called at Molly's flat each day, but the door was never opened.
There are marks on the door where it was opened.
They knocked on the door of a humble house, and the door was opened by a couple.
The door was suddenly opened by Mike.
When EJ took the microchip... the doors opened.
And then, the door opened.
We had to rearrange that entire room before the door opened.
She rigged it to go off when the door opened.
I woke up before the doors opened.
We've been jammed ever since the doors opened.
Suspects came in as soon as the doors opened.
The wolf pressed the latch, and the door opened.
And it says the door never opened.
And when I got there, the door just opened.
All right, the door has opened.
The lead is sure to break if the door is opened.
My husband and I were the first through the doors when Q3 opened.
However, this is surely the moment the door of fate opened.
But first, the door must be opened.
I just knocked on the door and it opened.

Alternatives:

The door had been opened.
The door stood open.
The door was left open.
The door was wide open.
The door was swung open.

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The door was being opened. vs The door was opened.