All words that qualify nouns are adjectives. All words that name someone or something are nouns, and all words that show actions or states of being are verbs.
The word “open” is an adjective, a noun, and a verb. “Open” is an adjective when it modifies a singular or plural noun, noun phrase, or pronoun. “Open” is a noun when it is utilized for the purpose of naming. “Open” is a verb when it represents an action, activity, or state of being.
In this article, let us read through the various exciting facts and examples related to the usage of the word “open” as an adjective, noun, and verb.
When is “open” an adjective?
When it says additional details about a noun, “open” is an adjective. We shall here see when the word “open” gives extra details about nouns and what details it provides.
The following table lists the various instances when the word “open” takes on the role of an adjective.
| Instances When “Open” is an Adjective | Examples | Explanations |
| 1. When used to modify a naming word that is not blocked or closed or fastened and allows entrance | The doors of the palace are always open to the common men. | In this sentence, the adjective “open” qualifies the plural naming word ‘doors’ (things) by telling that the doors are never closed to common men. |
| 2. When used to qualify a person’s mouth or eye that is not closed | When Rahul saw the new car, his eyes were wide open. | Here, the adjective “open” modifies the plural naming word ‘eyes’. The usage of “open” here refers to the fact that, seeing the new car, Rahul did not close his eyes. |
| 3. When used to describe a naming word that has it edges apart and spread out | This book has been lying open on the chair since yesterday. | “Open,” the adjective utilized in this sentence, conveys that the book is not closed and is spread out on the chair. “Open” modifies the naming word ‘book’ here. |
| 4. When used to qualify a naming word (mostly a place) that is not surrounded or closed in by anything | The open countryside, with no tall buildings, has never failed to attract me since my childhood. | The adjective “open” in this sentence describes the naming word ‘countryside’ (a place) by stating that the countryside that is not surrounded and closed by tall buildings has always attracted the speaker since his/her childhood. |
| 5. When used to modify a naming word that is not covered by a lid or a roof | The open drainage causes many problems for the people who reside in this area. | Here, the adjective “open” modifies the naming word ‘drainage’ by conveying the uncovered nature of the drainage, which is the cause of many problems for people in this area. |
| 6. When utilized to qualify a naming word (mostly a business, a service, a shop – any place) that is ready to serve the customers or allow visitors | The restaurant will be open, most probably by next weekend. | “Open”, the adjective here, modifies the naming word ‘restaurant’ (a place) by telling that the restaurant will serve the customers by the end of next week. |
| 7. When used to describe a naming word (mostly an event, a meeting, a competition, etc.) that can be attended or participated by anybody | The seminar is open to all so students of any major can attend it. | In this sentence, the adjective “open” qualifies the naming word ‘seminar’ (an event). The use of “open” indicates that the seminar can be attended by all students, irrespective of the major to which they belong. |
| 8. When utilized to qualify a naming word that is known to all | Their open fights are so very common that you need not be surprised or worried. | The adjective “open” here describes the naming word ‘fights’ by conveying that their fights are known to all, so there is no need to worry. |
| 9. When utilized to qualify a person who is very frank and honest | Ramya has always been open to me about her parents. | The adjective “open” here tells us about the frankness and honesty of Ramya to the speaker, by qualifying the naming word ‘Ramya’ (a person). |
| 10. When utilized to describe a naming word (mostly a person) who is ready to hear and accept new ideas or suggestions | Mohan, our team leader, is always open to our thoughts and ideas. | The usage of the adjective “open” in this sentence states that Mohan is a person who is ready to hear and accept the speakers’ thoughts and ideas. “Open” is modifying the noun ‘Mohan’ (a person). |
| 11. When used to modify a naming word that can be utilized on any day | Since I did not know when the work would be over, I bought an open ticket. | The adjective “open” qualifies the naming word ‘ticket’ and it tells us that the ticket can be used on any day since the speaker is unaware of the day when the work will be over. |
| 12. When used to modify a naming word that has still not come to a conclusion (not yet settled or decided) | The meeting is still open for discussion, so if anybody has any contributions, feel free to make them. | “Open”, the adjective here, qualifies the naming word ‘meeting’ by stating that the discussion is not yet over and people can say what they feel. |
Is “open” a descriptive adjective?
Based on how they modify nouns and what information they give, adjectives fall into different types. Descriptive adjectives are the most frequently used type of adjective.
The adjective “open” is a descriptive adjective because it describes the naming words by providing extra details about the nature, state of mind, characteristic features, appearance, behavior, etc. of an individual, thing, place, idea, situation, thought, etc.
Example: I wish to spend my vacation on the open seas.
In the above sentence, the adjective “open” qualifies the plural naming word ‘seas’. Since it tells the unbound, unrestricted, or unclosed nature of the seas where the speaker wishes to spend his or her vacation, the adjective “open” is regarded as a descriptive adjective.
When is “open” a descriptive adjective?
“Open” is a descriptive adjective when it tells about the unclosed, unblocked, unrestricted, unbound, spread out, uncovered, ready for service, available for all, known to all, frank, honest, ready to accept new ideas, not yet decided nature, characteristic feature, or behavior of a plural or singular noun.
For a better understanding, we shall peruse the examples and their related explanations that are listed in the tabular column that follows.
| Examples | Explanations – Usage Of “Open” as a Descriptive Adjective |
| 1. Badra always likes to stay in a room with open windows. | The descriptive adjective “open” tells about the unclosed nature of the windows (things) in the room where Badra likes to stay. |
| 2. The museum is open every day except on government and national holidays. | “Open”, the descriptive adjective, conveys the nature of the working days of the museum ( a place). |
| 3. The best thing about Mr. Shah is that, though he is highly knowledgeable and experienced, he is always open to thoughts and suggestions. | The descriptive adjective “open” here reveals the ready to accept nature of Mr. Shah (a person) who accepts others’ thoughts. |
| 4. The couple’s open display of affection is liked by some but also disliked by a few others. | “Open”, the descriptive adjective here, tells about the known to all nature of the couple’s (people) display of affection. |
| 5. Jishnu is open to his close friends about everything that is happening in his life. | The descriptive adjective “open” reveals Jishnu’s (a person’s) frank and honest nature with his close friends. |
| 6. It is better to buy an open ticket as we are not sure when the work will be over. | “Open”, the descriptive adjective used here, conveys the ticket’s (a thing) nature—that can be used anytime or any day. |
| 7. The question is open for further discussion and interpretation. | The adjective “open” states the undecided or unconcluded nature of the question (a thing). |
Is “open” a noun?
Some words retain the same form even when used as different parts of speech. Let us check whether this applies to the word “open” as well and if it is a noun.
The word “open” is a noun while it functions as a naming word, utilized for the purpose of naming a place, thing, event, etc.
Example: All their misdeeds must definitely be exposed to the open.
In this sentence, the word “open” is a noun since it is naming the public (group of people) to whom all their misdeeds must be exposed.
When is “open” a noun?
The word “open” is a noun when it is naming a place that is outdoors, an event or competition where anyone can take part in, or the public.
| Examples | Explanations – Usage Of “Open” as a Noun |
| 1. Instead of staying inside the house all day, you can spend some time in the open. | “Open” is a noun here since it is naming a place—outdoors where ‘you’ can spend some time. |
| 2. Sajith won the championship at the Australian Open for golf. | The noun “open” in this sentence is naming the Australian open event where everyone can take part. |
| 3. We are planning to show the real man behind the voice to the open very soon. | “Open” here is a noun as it is naming the public or people to whom the real man behind the voice will be revealed. |
| 4. The annual day function of our school always happens in the open and not inside any auditorium or hall. | The noun “open” in this sentence is naming an outdoor place where the annual day function of the speakers’ school will take place. |
| 5. Whoever is responsible for the issue will be brought to the open sooner or later. | The noun “open” here names the public to whom the person who is responsible for the issue will be brought. |
Is “open” a verb?
Words which denote actions, states of being, or activities are verbs. Let us see if the word “open” can be a verb.
The word “open” can be (or is) a verb when it represents or shows an action or activity.
Example: Open the windows and doors so that you get some fresh air and sunlight.
In the above sentence, the word “open” is a verb since it represents the action or activity of unclosing or unfastening the windows and doors for some fresh air and sunlight to enter.
When is “open” a verb?
The word “open” takes up the role of a verb when it denotes or represents the actions or activities of unclosing, unfastening, unfolding, uncovering, disclosing, operating, starting something, or turning to a particular page.
| Examples | Explanations – Usage Of “Open” as a Verb |
| 1. Please open the gifts with care so that you don’t break them. | The verb “open” here refers to the action of unclosing the gifts. |
| 2. Sooner or later, Sundar has to open up this news at his house. | “Open”, the verb, indicates the action of disclosing the news at Sundar’s house. |
| 3. A well-known and popular movie star is invited to open the new shop. | The verb “open” shows the action of inaugurating the new shop. |
| 4. We shall wait for another five minutes for others to join, after which we will open the discussion. | The verb “open” here refers to the action of commencing or starting the discussion. |
| 5. All are requested to take your math book and open page number twenty five. | “Open,” the verb here, denotes the action of turning to page 25. |
Conclusion
Hence, the article clearly explains to us how, why, and when the word “open”, with the same form, takes on the role of an adjective, noun, and verb in different places and situations.
Hi… I am Sowndharya Jagadeeswaran, a university rank holder in M.A. English Literature. I have also done my master’s in Business Administration. Inquisitive as I am, my interest in action-oriented research helped me publish research papers in reputed journals. Now, as a career, I am an instructor where I teach young and adorable students the intricate technicalities of Public Speaking and Creative Writing. I also enjoy writing articles on topics I specialize and research in.
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