opened the gate for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'opened the gate for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone allowing access to something. For example, "Alice opened the gate for her friends to enter the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

That opened the gate for others.

The New York Times - Books

I opened the gate for them.

The New Yorker

While the village slept, someone most likely opened the gate for the hundred or so assailants.

The New York Times - Science

The ineligibility of Kadabra has opened the gate for several challengers in Saturday's $1 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands.

The New York Times - Sports

That opened the gate for Rushworth and Graham Onions when the second new ball became available seven overs later.

The Guardian - Sport

The expansion and dominance of global finance opened the gate for faster capital accumulation and material abundance, but at the same time sowed the seeds of crisis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Our offense pretty much opened the gates for us".

The New York Times - Sports

The triple opened the gates for Boston's five-run inning and turned Jamie Moyer (11-9) into a hard-luck loser.

The New York Times - Sports

Never a Marxist, Briggs perhaps opened the gates for a more radical reappraisal of the history of the English working class in the hands of EP Thompson and Christopher Hill.

The Guardian - Books

Last Tuesday, a legal decision made in state Superior Court in Trenton finally opened the gates for a $175 million flood intended to wash away Camden's woes.

The New York Times

But it was, he explains, Thatcher, a fellow Oxford-trained chemist, who in the mid-80s introduced two reforms that opened the gates for spin-out activity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opened the gate for" when you want to emphasize that a specific action directly enabled a subsequent event or opportunity. It is appropriate when discussing a pivotal moment or decision that unlocked future possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "opened the gate for" when the action only has a minor or indirect influence. Ensure the action was a significant enabler, rather than just a contributing factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opened the gate for" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of enabling or allowing something to happen or someone to gain access. It implies a direct causal relationship where one action facilitates another. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "opened the gate for" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of enabling or facilitating something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears most often in news and media and science. Related phrases include "paved the way for" and "set the stage for". When using this phrase, ensure that the enabler action had a significant, direct influence and that it didn't act as a minor influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paved the way for

Implies making progress easier or more achievable.

set the stage for

Suggests preparing a situation for something to happen.

created an opportunity for

Highlights the creation of a chance or possibility.

cleared the path for

Indicates removing obstacles to allow progress.

facilitated the rise of

Emphasizes the ease or advancement of something.

enabled the emergence of

Focuses on allowing something to come into existence or become known.

laid the groundwork for

Stresses the preparatory work done for a future event or development.

unlocked the potential for

Highlights the revealing of latent possibilities.

catalyzed the development of

Suggests accelerating the growth or advancement of something.

let in

A simpler, more literal way of saying someone or something was allowed access.

FAQs

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

You can use "opened the gate for" to describe how an action created an opportunity or made something possible. For example, "The new policy "opened the gate for" small businesses to compete with larger corporations."

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

Alternatives include "paved the way for", "set the stage for", or "created an opportunity for", depending on the specific context.

Is "opened the gate for" formal or informal?

"Opened the gate for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives may be more appropriate depending on the audience and tone.

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

While similar, "opened the gate for" often implies a more significant or extensive opportunity than "opened the door for". A gate suggests a wider access point or greater potential.