What are your opening hours

Question

(to a shopkeeper) What are your opening hours (=during what period of time your shop is open)?I think the use of "opening" is correct but I don't know why I find 'opened' more correct choice there. Further, I couldn't find a suitable sense to fit the context. Please help.opening:http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opening

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

It sounds like British English.

In the US, it would sound strange. We ask:

What are your hours of operation?
What are your store's hours? (less formal)

What time do you open? How late are you open?

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thanks. I like 'operaton hours' better.

I can see it does sound strange to you but I believe you still consider it correct. Going back to my original question: Is using 'opened' allowed and why is 'opening' the right choice when the dictionary doesn't seem to mention such sense? Please guide me.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Jackson6612Going back to my original question: Is using 'opened' allowed and why is 'opening' the right choice when the dictionary doesn't seem to mention such sense?

The key is usage. If people in England talk about "opening hours," and it is regularly used in their newspapers, fiction, magazines, etc. then it is legitmate usage. The only thing that dictionaries do is to record mainstream usage. The dictionaries (at least English ones) do not invent language at all, they document it. In documenting it, they have to make choices about what examples to include. The Oxford English dictionary (unabridged) is truely amazing, because it not only documents modern usage, but historical usage as well.

So, you say, how did you verify the difference between BrE and AmE regarding the usage of the phrase "opening hours"?

I used two very handy resources, one for AmE and another for http://corpus.byu.edu/bnc/x.asp
In the British Corpus, I got many citations like these:

-- Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
---More funds were required generally for longer opening hours ;
--- Friends agree that most museums in the private sector have opening hours that suit the wishes of the public

In the American Corpus, though, results were markedly different. There were fewer usages (even though the database is much larger), and most of these were not related to shops and businesses:

-- in the opening hours of April 9, when the American Army controlled Baghdad..
-- This is where I spent the opening hours of the conflict...

It is an interesting way to compare the regional / national differences.

Regards,
A-

s

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thank you very much for this informative reply.

AlpheccaStarsThe key is usage. If people England talk about "opening hours," and it is regularly used in their newspapers, fiction, magazines, etc. then it is legitmate usage. The only thing that dictionaries do is to record mainstream usage. The dictionaries (at least English ones) do not invent language at all, they document it. In documenting it, they have to make choices about what examples to include. The Oxford English dictionary (unabridged) is truely amazing, because it not only documents modern usage, but historical usage as well.

Isn't it the same with dictionaries of other languages? They also document, catalogue only the popular senses, usage, and make compromises to include set expressions such as idioms and idiomatic phrases, etc. Perhaps, you aren't sure of the answer to this as your reply suggests ,"at least English ones". The learner dictionaries are good in that they include a lot of set expressions to reflect the language as used by natives.

I haven't used OED. I had an electronic copy of M-W's unabridged. I don't really know if it was good, I used it rarely. I think OED has to be more amazing because it's older and partly due to the fact that AmE is a younger variety.

Suppose you are given a choice to invent a phrase to convey the sense of 'operation hours'. Between 'opening hours' and 'opened hours', which one would you choose?

Best wishes
Jack

Ivanhr · Answer

Jackson6612Suppose you are given a choice to invent a phrase to convey the sense of 'operation hours'. Between 'opening hours' and 'opened hours', which one would you choose?Best wishesJack

As a non-native, I'd choose "opened hours". But even that is not good as "opened" modifies hours, which obviously can't be right. So I just assume that there's an implied store/shop between "opened" and "hours".

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Jackson6612Isn't it the same with dictionaries of other languages?

France has had an academic academy for defining "true pure French." I'm not sure about other languages, and I don't know if the academy's power over the populace has waned.
There are many languages that do not have written dictionaries.

Jackson6612Suppose you are given a choice to invent a phrase to convey the sense of 'operation hours'. Between 'opening hours' and 'opened hours', which one would you choose?

Neither. I would invent something more obvious:

What are your open hours? (The shop is open from 7 to 9)

That is better than the one other choice: What are your hours of openness?
This has somewhat of a transcendental ring to it.

Philip · Answer

I have visited many countries during the last few years, and I am still not used to seeing "opening hours". It apparently is very common, even if in the States we often see only "Open 9-5".

Anonymous · Answer

Hi, I'm from England so i want to say what we use for it. " opening hours " is correct

-Alyson M. S.-

Jackson6612 · Answer

AlpheccaStarsFrance has had an academic academy for defining "true pure French." I'm not sure about other languages, and I don't know if the academy's power over the populace has waned.

Yes, you are right. It's called http://french.about.com/cs/francophonie/a/academie.htm as I'm sure you already know.

AlpheccaStarsNeither. I would invent something more obvious:
What are your open hours?

Your choice is better and concise. Both 'open' and 'opened' function as an adjective with 'hours'. It's just that 'open' is a pure adjective and 'opened' is a particle acting as an adjective. So, I'm simply wondering what exactly is the difference between 'open hours' and 'opened hours'? Is it just that 'open hours' sound more natural and straightforward expression?

AlpheccaStarsThis has somewhat of a transcendental ring to it.

Above "ring" stands in the sense of 'chracteristic', 'feeling'. How does it have a transcendental ring to it?

I'm sorry for all this follow-on questions.I hope you won't mind. Thank you for all the guidance.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Jackson6612So, I'm simply wondering what exactly is the difference between 'open hours' and 'opened hours'?

It's just experience in how we have used these words in other situations.

Opened to me indicates a one-time event that is completed.
Open is more of a characteristic.

The opened letter was on the table.

I can read him like an open book.
She is very open and willing to talk.

Jackson6612How does it have a transcendental ring to it?

It is one of the rarer definitions of ring:
ring (n)
the aspect or impression presented by a statement, an action, etc., taken as revealing a specified inherent quality: a ring of assurance in her voice; the ring of truth; a false ring

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