creating space for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "creating space for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of allowing room or opportunity for something, such as ideas, feelings, or actions. Example: "In our discussions, we should focus on creating space for diverse perspectives to ensure everyone feels heard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Creating space for your own work involves creating space for the work that made a difference to you.

The New Yorker

That means enemies and opponents creating space for each other.

The Guardian - Opinion

He runs well and is adept at creating space for those inside him.

Independent

Much of the deliberations centered on creating space for charter schools in New York City.

The New York Times

Dirt was scraped off furniture, and rooms were wallpapered, creating space for possible exhibitions.

The New York Times

He described this as being "not burdened by the impossible but creating space for the possible".

The New York Times - Arts

Tehran also deserves a measure of credit for creating space for compromise over its nuclear programme.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the composer handles the material with an eerie grace, creating space for another courageous solo turn.

The New Yorker

Valencia is arguably the best striker in the league at holding the ball and creating space for others.

The New York Times - Sports

In the absence of substance, Mr Xi's talk of a dream is creating space for a lively debate over where China should be heading.

The Economist

The last three are about solutions: creating space for conversations, throwing out garbage foods, cooking lessons, going grocery shopping, workouts at the gym, confrontations among family members, interventions.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider whether a simpler verb like 'allowing' or 'enabling' might suffice, but retain "creating space for" when you want to emphasize the active process of making room.

Common error

While versatile, "creating space for" can become repetitive. In formal or academic writing, alternate with more precise verbs that specify the type of enabling being described, such as 'facilitating', 'fostering', or 'enabling'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "creating space for" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a prepositional complement or part of a more complex verb phrase. It describes an action that results in making opportunities or possibilities available. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "creating space for" is a versatile gerund phrase that effectively conveys the idea of enabling or facilitating something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While interchangeable with phrases like "making room for" or "allowing opportunities for", it offers a nuanced emphasis on the active process of creating possibilities. When using the phrase, be mindful of its potential for overuse in formal contexts and consider alternatives for conciseness and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making room for

Implies physically or figuratively providing space.

allowing opportunities for

Focuses on providing chances or possibilities.

opening avenues for

Suggests initiating new paths or possibilities.

fostering an environment for

Highlights the cultivation of suitable conditions.

enabling conditions for

Emphasizes the facilitation of necessary preconditions.

promoting the possibility of

Focuses on increasing the likelihood of something happening.

cultivating opportunities for

Emphasizes careful development and nurturing of chances.

clearing the way for

Implies removing obstacles to facilitate progress.

facilitating prospects for

Concentrates on making future possibilities easier to achieve.

generating latitude for

Implies giving more freedom or flexibility.

FAQs

How can I use "creating space for" in a sentence?

You can use "creating space for" to indicate providing opportunity or enabling something. For example, "The new policy is aimed at "creating space for" innovation".

What are some alternatives to "creating space for"?

Alternatives include "making room for", "allowing opportunities for", or "fostering an environment for" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "creating space for" or "create space for"?

"Creating space for" (gerund) emphasizes the action or process, whereas "create space for" (imperative) is a direct instruction. The choice depends on whether you're describing an ongoing action or proposing a course of action.

In what contexts is "creating space for" most appropriate?

The phrase is suitable in a variety of contexts, from describing physical arrangements to abstract concepts. It is particularly effective when highlighting efforts to make room for new ideas, changes, or discussions.