Opened vs. Openned – Which is Correct?
The correct spelling is opened. The word “openned” is a common misspelling and does not exist in standard English. “Opened” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “to open,” meaning to move something from a closed position or state.
Opened or Openned – Which is Correct?
Between “opened” and “openned,” only opened is the correct spelling in standard English. “Openned” is a frequent misspelling, often arising from phonetic confusion when adding the past tense suffix “-ed” to verbs ending in ‘n’. The root verb “open” does not double the ‘n’ because the ‘e’ before it represents a long vowel sound, unlike words like “plan” (planned) where the vowel is short.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | Verb (past tense, past participle), Adjective | To cause to be no longer closed; to make accessible; begun or started. | She opened the door for the guests. |
| Openned | Incorrect spelling | Does not exist in standard English. | (Incorrect usage) He openned the book. |
How to Use Opened
“Opened” is the standard past tense and past participle form of the verb “to open.” It describes an action that has been completed in the past, or as an adjective, describes the state of being accessible or not closed. It is widely used in both formal and casual contexts across all varieties of English.
Example 1: The store opened at 9 AM this morning.
Example 2: She had already opened all the windows to let in fresh air.
Example 3: The gift box was already opened when it arrived.
What are the different forms of Opened?
“Opened” itself is a form of the verb “to open.” Here are related forms:
- Base Form: open
- Present Tense (third person singular): opens
- Present Participle: opening
- Past Tense: opened
- Past Participle: opened
Etymology of the word Opened
The word “open” comes from the Old English word openian, meaning “to open, to disclose, to reveal.” This, in turn, is derived from the adjective open, meaning “not shut, not closed.” The suffix “-ed” is a common addition to form the past tense and past participle of regular verbs in English, a practice that has evolved from Old English verb conjugations.
Related Concepts
The common misspelling of “openned” highlights a key rule in English spelling for regular verbs when adding the suffix “-ed.” For verbs ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, the final consonant is often doubled before adding “-ed” if the vowel sound is short (e.g., “plan” becomes “planned,” “stop” becomes “stopped”). However, if the vowel sound is long (e.g., “open,” where the ‘o’ is long), the final consonant is typically not doubled. Understanding the distinction between short and long vowel sounds is crucial for correctly conjugating such verbs.
These rules are crucial for many verbs, including understanding the acceptable forms of ‘spelled’ and ‘spelt’.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “The door to the secret garden was always mysteriously opened for her.” – Adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
- “With a sudden burst of energy, the athlete opened up a significant lead in the final lap.” – News report
- “The book opened with a vivid description of a stormy night, setting a dramatic tone.” – Literary analysis
- “He opened his heart to her, sharing feelings he had kept hidden for years.” – Fictional narrative
- “The museum recently opened a new exhibit showcasing ancient artifacts.” – Cultural institution announcement
Opened Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Unsealed | To break the seal of; to make accessible. |
| Unfastened | To unfix or untie; to release. |
| Unlocked | To make accessible by undoing a lock. |
| Began | To start or initiate an action or event. |
| Unfolded | To spread out or reveal something that was folded or concealed. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why is “openned” incorrect?
“Openned” is incorrect because the verb “open” has a long ‘o’ vowel sound. In English, when adding “-ed” to a regular verb ending in a single consonant preceded by a long vowel, the final consonant is not doubled. The correct spelling is “opened.”
Question 2: How can I remember the correct spelling of “opened”?
Think of the pronunciation of “open.” The ‘o’ is a long vowel sound, and the ‘e’ is also pronounced. Because of these distinct vowel sounds, the ‘n’ does not need to be doubled. Compare it to verbs with short vowel sounds, like “planned” (short ‘a’) or “stopped” (short ‘o’), where the consonant is doubled.
Question 3: Does “openned” appear in any specialized contexts or dialects?
No, “openned” is not recognized as a correct spelling in any standard English dialect, nor does it have any specialized meaning. It is purely a common misspelling that should be avoided in all writing.
Conclusion
In the choice between “openned” and “opened,” the correct and only accepted spelling is opened. “Openned” is a persistent misspelling that should be corrected in all written communication. Understanding the rules of past tense formation for regular verbs, particularly concerning vowel sounds before the final consonant, can help solidify the correct usage. A mastery of such basic spelling rules enhances clarity and maintains a professional reputation in all your writing endeavors.
