open a new chapter

USAGE SUMMARY

"open a new chapter" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate a fresh start or a new beginning. For example: "My graduation marked a turning point in my life, and I'm ready to open a new chapter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few weeks after his victory, Obama vowed to open a "new chapter" on climate change.

The New Yorker

Such a dual strategy would not exactly open a new chapter in Mr. Obama's presidency.

The New York Times

Today, mindful of the lessons of the past, we open a new chapter.

The New York Times

"The time has come to open a new chapter," she said Monday.

The Washington Post

It'll open a new chapter in science, depending on how novel the discoveries are.

The New York Times

"We can open a new chapter," he said at Medef, addressing Rouhani.

The Guardian

"Seize this unique opportunity to open a new chapter," she urged.

The Guardian

"Let's open a new chapter based on domestic talents & global opportunities".

The New Yorker

There had been plans to open a new "chapter" in membership talks with Turkey soon, breaking a three-year freeze.

The Economist

One article in People's Daily was titled "To Open a New Chapter in the Sino-U.S. Cooperative Partnership".

The New York Times

These novel surface modification strategies open a new chapter on designing ideal blood-friendly implantable materials.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "open a new chapter" to signal a significant change or transition in a story, project, relationship, or personal life to create a sense of anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "open a new chapter" for minor everyday events. Reserve it for changes that represent substantial shifts or turning points.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "open a new chapter" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression. It's used to signify the start of a new phase, experience, or direction in someone's life or in a particular context, such as political relations, scientific discovery, or personal endeavors. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its application across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "open a new chapter" is a widely used and grammatically sound idiom that signals a new beginning or significant transition. As indicated by Ludwig, it enjoys frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, scientific discourse, and formal business communications. While versatile, it's best reserved for events of substantial significance rather than trivial occurrences. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "commence a new chapter". Remember to reserve this expression for significant changes and shifts in your narrative, fostering anticipation for what's to come.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a fresh start

Focuses on the idea of abandoning the past and approaching something with renewed energy and perspective.

commence a new chapter

Synonymous and more formal; the verb "commence" gives it a more official tone.

start a new beginning

It is more explicit about the act of starting, reinforcing the sense of a fresh start or opportunity.

begin a fresh phase

Emphasizes the sense of beginning and freshness, focusing on the phase aspect rather than a story or book.

start anew

A more concise and general way to express beginning again, without specifying what is being started.

initiate a different stage

Focuses on the process of starting a new stage or phase, emphasizing the act of initiation.

turn over a new leaf

Implies making a positive change or resolving to be better, adding a moral or self-improvement element.

launch a new adventure

Implies excitement and exploration and often suggests an element of risk or uncertainty involved.

embark on a new journey

Suggests a longer, more involved undertaking, often with an element of adventure or discovery.

enter a new era

Refers to a significant period of time characterized by specific conditions, broader in scope than personal change.

FAQs

How can I use "open a new chapter" in a sentence?

You can use "open a new chapter" to describe the beginning of a new phase or significant change. For example, "After retiring, she decided to "open a new chapter" by traveling the world."

What's a less common alternative to "open a new chapter"?

A less common, but similar alternative is to say "initiate a different stage", which emphasizes the beginning of a distinct phase or period.

Is it appropriate to use "open a new chapter" in formal writing?

Yes, "open a new chapter" can be used in formal writing, but consider alternatives like "commence a new chapter" for a more sophisticated tone.

How is "open a new chapter" different from "turn over a new leaf"?

"Open a new chapter" generally refers to starting a new phase in life, while "turn over a new leaf" specifically implies making a change for the better, often related to personal behavior.