The verb to open · Conjugation
Past Simple of open
The answer: opened
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to open is opened.
Example: I opened the door.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | opened |
| You | opened |
| He / She / It | opened |
| We | opened |
| You (pl.) | opened |
| They | opened |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. The door is opened ❌
To describe the state, open is an adjective: The door is open. Use opened only for an action, for example in the passive: The door was opened by the teacher.
2. Opening: several meanings
An opening can be the first day of a new shop, a ceremony to start something, or a free job: a job opening.
Practice quiz
Going further
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of open?+
Opened. It is a regular verb.
Is open also an adjective?+
Yes. Open is also an adjective: The door is open. Don't use opened for the state. Use it only for an action, in the passive.
What does open up to someone mean?+
Open up can mean (1) to open something; (2) to talk to someone about your feelings: She opened up to me.
What does opening mean?+
An opening has two meanings. (1) The start of something new, like the first day of a shop or the start of a concert. (2) A free job: a job opening.
Is open-minded positive?+
Yes. Open-minded (adjective) describes someone who accepts new ideas. It is a positive word.
Related pages: open Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/open/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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More forms of the verb to open are coming soon.