opened the door for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opened the door for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone has created an opportunity for something else to happen. For example, you can say "His generous donation opened the door for other contributors to support the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That finally opened the door for Televisa.

The New York Times

"She opened the door for other sounds".

The New Yorker

I opened the door for her.

The New York Times - Magazine

He opened the door for me.

The Guardian - Sport

"That opened the door for Amy Tan.

The New York Times - Books

"He opened the door for us.

The Guardian - Music

The concession opened the door for compensation.

The New York Times

It opened the door for modern pop.

The Guardian - Music

But three bogeys opened the door for Bernhard Langer.

The New York Times - Sports

But Khamenei opened the door for harsher measures.

Independent

"I mean, it opened the door for us".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opened the door for" to highlight how a specific action or event created a new possibility or opportunity. For example, "The new policy "opened the door for" small businesses to compete."

Common error

Avoid using "opened the door for" when the action only had a minor or indirect impact. Instead, use more precise language to accurately reflect the level of influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opened the door for" functions as an idiomatic expression, indicating that a specific action or event has created an opportunity or made something possible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and frequently used construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "opened the door for" is a versatile idiomatic expression that signals the creation of an opportunity or the enabling of a possibility. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and sees frequent use across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media and Science. While "opened the door for" carries a neutral tone suitable for professional communication, be mindful of overstating the impact of the opening. For similar meanings, consider using "paved the way for" or "created an opportunity for" for nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paved the way for

Emphasizes the preparatory actions that made something possible.

created an opportunity for

Highlights the creation of a chance or possibility.

set the stage for

Implies preparation and anticipation for a subsequent event.

cleared the path for

Focuses on removing obstacles to enable progress.

made possible

A simpler way of saying something was enabled.

facilitated the rise of

Specifically indicates enabling the growth or emergence of something.

enabled the advent of

Highlights the enabling of the arrival or beginning of something.

brought about the possibility of

Focuses on the action that made a future opportunity conceivable.

unleashed the potential for

Highlights the release of dormant possibilities.

inaugurated the era of

Suggests the start of a new period or trend.

FAQs

How can I use "opened the door for" in a sentence?

Use "opened the door for" to indicate that a particular action or event has created an opportunity or made something possible. For instance, "The success of the initial project "opened the door for" further investment".

What is a good alternative to "opened the door for"?

Alternatives include "paved the way for", "created an opportunity for", or "set the stage for" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "opening the door for" instead of "opened the door for"?

Yes, "opening the door for" can be correct, but it changes the tense and aspect. "Opened the door for" refers to a completed action that has created an opportunity, while "opening the door for" can refer to an ongoing action or a general capability.

What's the difference between "opened the door for" and "created an opening for"?

"Opened the door for" emphasizes the creation of an opportunity that allows for further development. "Created an opening for", on the other hand, suggests the creation of a gap or space that can be exploited or filled.