opened the door to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'opened the door to' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an opportunity or situation which has been made possible - usually figuratively. For example: "The changes in the law opened the door to new possibilities for businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She opened the door to leave.

The New Yorker

I opened the door to trash!

The New Yorker

It opened the door to fakery.

The New Yorker

We've just opened the door to Nader".

The New York Times

We've opened the door to asking them.

The New York Times

She opened the door to the balcony.

The Guardian - Books

That opened the door to Artest's leaving.

The New York Times

That opened the door to some shabby deals.

The Economist

"The revolution opened the door to peaceful change".

The New York Times

He opened the door to "real life", she said.

The Economist

"We just opened the door to thousands of New Yorkers".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opened the door to" to introduce new possibilities or opportunities, but make sure the context clearly establishes what those opportunities are. Vague statements can weaken the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid clichés by considering alternatives to "opened the door to" if the context allows. Overusing the 'door' metaphor can make your writing sound repetitive and uninspired. Choose more descriptive verbs or phrases that better capture the specific action or outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opened the door to" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the creation of new opportunities or possibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It commonly serves as a verb phrase introducing potential outcomes or developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "opened the door to" is a versatile and commonly used idiom that signifies the creation of new opportunities or possibilities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While its register remains relatively neutral, careful attention to the specific nuance—opportunity, possibility, or consequence—is crucial for precision. Remember to avoid overuse and explore synonyms to maintain writing freshness. In terms of frequency, the phrase is very common, with News & Media being the most frequent context. Therefore, it is a phrase that is appropriate to use in many cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opened up possibilities for

Highlights the expansion of potential outcomes.

paved the way for

Implies a smoother, more prepared path.

created an opportunity for

Focuses on the chance or possibility that has been generated.

enabled the start of

Focuses on providing the means or ability for something to commence.

gave rise to

Suggests a direct cause-and-effect relationship, often implying growth or development.

set the stage for

Implies preparation and anticipation for a future event or development.

facilitated the emergence of

Highlights the ease and support provided for something to come into being.

unleashed the potential for

Emphasizes the release of previously constrained abilities or opportunities.

catalyzed the development of

Implies an acceleration of progress through a specific action.

instigated the beginning of

Suggests the initiation of an event or process, sometimes with negative connotations.

FAQs

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

Use "opened the door to" to indicate that something has made a new opportunity or possibility available. For instance, "The new software "opened the door to" increased efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "opened the door to"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "paved the way for", "created an opportunity for", or "gave rise to".

Is "opened the door to" formal or informal?

"Opened the door to" is suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and academic writing, making it a versatile choice.

What's the difference between "opened the door to" and "opened the way for"?

While both phrases imply creating opportunities, ""opened the door to"" suggests a broader range of possibilities, whereas "opened the way for" focuses on removing obstacles.