open the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"open the possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a way of introducing a new idea or concept that hadn't previously been considered. For example, "This new research opens the possibility of a breakthrough in the field of medical science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This will open the possibility to explore neutrino properties.

Columbia University

That could open the possibility of enormous multicolored lighting compositions.

The New York Times

Refusing would open the possibility of a subpoena and a court fight.

The New York Times

In her parliamentary statement, the prime minister did leave open the possibility of harsher financial sanctions.

The Washington Post

Still, this loose definition leaves open the possibility for taxi services eventually converting to Ubers.

TechCrunch

The will left open the possibility of using Hoffman's exemption amount another way.

Forbes

This may open the possibility to quantify such errors statistically.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

But he left open the possibility.

The New York Times - Sports

Why leave open the possibility?

The Washington Post

Williams left open the possibility of trading up or down.

The Washington Post

A day later, Trump again left open the possibility.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "open the possibility" when introducing a new idea or prospect that emerges as a result of a specific action or situation. For example, "Adopting this technology opens the possibility of increased efficiency."

Common error

Avoid using "open the possibility" when the potential outcome is already obvious or highly probable. Instead, reserve it for scenarios where the prospect is novel or unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "open the possibility" functions as a verb phrase introducing a potential outcome or opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts. For example, "This may open the possibility to quantify such errors statistically."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "open the possibility" serves to introduce potential outcomes or opportunities arising from specific situations. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts like news, academia, and scientific publications. It functions to highlight new potentials, emphasizing a sense of opportunity. While generally neutral in register, it leans toward formality, making it suitable for analytical and considered discussions. When employing this phrase, ensure the context genuinely presents a novel prospect rather than a self-evident outcome. Alternatives such as "create an opportunity" or "pave the way for" offer nuanced substitutions depending on the specific context you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open the door to

Emphasizes providing access or a starting point for something.

create an opportunity

Focuses on the act of making an opportunity rather than just revealing its existence.

present a chance

Emphasizes the offering of a chance or occasion.

unlock potential

Highlights the idea of releasing hidden potential.

pave the way for

Suggests creating a path or making progress easier for something else.

yield potential

Highlights the production or generation of potential.

give rise to

Indicates that something causes or leads to a particular situation.

establish a prospect

Stresses the creation of a future possibility or expectation.

initiate a chance

Highlights the act of starting or commencing a new opportunity.

begin a prospect

Focuses on starting or initiating a future possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "open the possibility" in a sentence?

You can use "open the possibility" to introduce a new potential outcome or opportunity. For example, "This discovery "opens the possibility" of developing new treatments."

What's a more formal way to say "open the possibility"?

In a more formal context, you could use "create an opportunity" or "pave the way for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "This agreement "creates an opportunity" for further collaboration."

Is it correct to say "open the door to" instead of "open the possibility"?

Yes, "open the door to" is a similar phrase and can often be used interchangeably with "open the possibility", although "open the door to" often implies providing access or a starting point.

What are some common scenarios where "open the possibility" is used?

"Open the possibility" is often used in discussions of scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and strategic decisions where new potential outcomes are being considered. In other words, it means that new horizons are now visible.