creating an opening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "creating an opening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is initiating a conversation, opportunity, or a physical space. Example: "The speaker focused on creating an opening for dialogue between the two opposing sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum sustained serious knee injuries against the Patriots and aren't expected to be ready for the season opener, creating an opening.

The New York Times

It's about creating an opening.

Forbes

However, a blank area on the cast surface should be reserved for creating an opening gap running through the cast surface for the consideration of the further mechanical assembly design.

3D Printing in Medicine

Find a place in the ice that looks good for creating an opening.

WikiHow

In the first half at Emirates Stadium, however, the German did not even have a sniff of creating an opening in open play.

BBC

The Toronto Raptors signed Roma point guard Roko Ukic on Wednesday, creating an opening for Jennings.

The New York Times - Sports

Celebrated street artist Banksy has turned his talents to The Simpsons, creating an opening sequence featuring an Asian sweatshop.

The Guardian

The Big Lead has risen to prominence as newspaper circulation and ad revenue have shrunk; many papers have cut back sports coverage, creating an opening for bloggers.

The New York Times - Sports

It could have provided unambiguous evidence that the Republican electorate was rejecting him, creating an opening for either Mr. Santorum or a brokered convention and a new candidate.

The New York Times

The huge quantity of data becomes unwieldy and difficult to manage and understand, creating an opening for a multitude of start-ups.

The New York Times

Mr. Gingrich's campaign is not terribly well-organized and is unlikely to do well in the caucus states, perhaps creating an opening for Mr. Santorum.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about competitive situations, "creating an opening" can effectively illustrate how one entity gains an advantage due to another's weakness or failure. For example, "The competitor's misstep resulted in creating an opening for our product."

Common error

Avoid using "creating an opening" when you actually mean seizing an already existing opportunity. The phrase implies active creation, not passive reception. For instance, instead of saying "He created an opening when the CEO resigned," rather use "He seized the opening when the CEO resigned."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "creating an opening" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of making an opportunity, space, or possibility available. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "creating an opening" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across diverse contexts. The phrase describes the action of making an opportunity or space available. Its usage spans from formal to informal registers, with high presence in news, media, and scientific domains. When writing, ensure that you are describing active creation, not passive reception of an opportunity, in order to avoid errors. Alternatives like "generating an opportunity" or "paving the way" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Understanding its usage patterns will help writers use it accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opening the door

Uses a metaphor to describe providing an initial opportunity or access.

paving the way

Suggests preparing a situation to make it easier for something to happen.

generating an opportunity

Highlights the proactive creation of a favorable chance or situation.

unlocking a possibility

Highlights revealing or enabling a chance that was previously inaccessible.

developing a prospect

Focuses on nurturing a potential future opportunity or outcome.

clearing a space

Implies the removal of obstacles to make room for something new.

establishing a breach

Focuses on creating a literal or figurative gap in a barrier or defense.

forging a route

Implies creating a new path or method, often through difficulty.

fostering a pathway

Emphasizes the development of a route or channel for progress or access.

carving out a niche

Suggests the creation of a specialized and distinct position or market segment.

FAQs

How can I use "creating an opening" in a sentence?

Use "creating an opening" to describe situations where someone or something is actively making an opportunity or space available. For example, "The new marketing campaign is "creating an opening" for increased sales."

What are some alternatives to "creating an opening"?

Alternatives include "generating an opportunity", "paving the way", or "opening the door", depending on the specific context.

Is "creating an opening" formal or informal?

"Creating an opening" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.

What's the difference between "creating an opening" and "seizing an opportunity"?

"Creating an opening" implies actively making an opportunity available, while "seizing an opportunity" suggests taking advantage of an opportunity that already exists.