opened the meeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opened the meeting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action of starting a formal gathering or discussion, typically in a professional or organizational context. Example: "The chairperson opened the meeting by welcoming all attendees and outlining the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Draper opened the meeting by demanding that the I.D.F.

The New York Times

The imam opened the meeting with a prayer.

The New Yorker

Mr. Klein opened the meeting by announcing the changes.

The New York Times

After he spoke, we opened the meeting for questions.

The Guardian

The Dominican President, Leonel Fernández, opened the meeting and gave Rafael Correa, of Ecuador, the floor.

The New Yorker

Sasha opened the meeting by introducing Abby and conveying the CEO's regret about missing the meeting.

Harvard Business Review

In a film that opened the meeting, Mr. Buffett strummed a ukulele and sang about investing.

The New York Times

Having opened the meeting, Phil showed us the Erik Qualman video.

The Guardian - Money

Mr Suslu, who has a reputation as a table-thumper, opened the meeting with a declaration of intent.

The Economist

Mr. Akerson opened the meeting by contrasting G.M.'s progress since bankruptcy with its bleak outlook before that.

The New York Times

Walker opened the meeting with a promise not to have a repeat of this year's bonus row.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider varying your language by using synonyms like "started the meeting" or "commenced the meeting" to keep your writing engaging.

Common error

Avoid using overly informal phrases such as "kicked off the meeting" in formal business or academic contexts. "Opened the meeting" is generally appropriate across a wider range of settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opened the meeting" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the initiation of a formal assembly. It is a common way to describe the action of starting a meeting, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "opened the meeting" is a versatile phrase widely used to denote the start of a formal gathering. Ludwig's analysis reveals it's grammatically sound and prevalent across news, business, and scientific contexts. Alternatives like "commenced the meeting" or "started the meeting" offer stylistic variations, but "opened the meeting" maintains broad applicability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively signals the beginning of a meeting and sets the stage for subsequent discussions, making it a reliable choice for formal communication. While overwhelmingly used across various contexts, remember that formality is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commenced the meeting

Uses a more formal verb to indicate the start of the meeting.

started the meeting

Employs a simpler and more direct verb for beginning the meeting.

initiated the session

Substitutes "meeting" with "session" and uses a formal verb.

kicked off the meeting

Uses an informal, idiomatic expression to mean 'started'.

called the meeting to order

A formal and traditional way of starting a meeting, often used in official settings.

presided over the start of the meeting

Indicates that someone is not just starting the meeting but also leading it from the beginning.

set the meeting in motion

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the start of the meeting.

got the meeting underway

An idiomatic way of saying that the meeting has begun.

began the proceedings

Uses a more formal term ('proceedings') to refer to the meeting.

launched the discussion

Focuses on the discussion aspect of the meeting, implying the start of the conversation.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "opened the meeting"?

You can use alternatives like "commenced the meeting", "started the meeting", or "initiated the session" depending on the context.

Is "opened the meeting" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "opened the meeting" is perfectly suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to indicate the beginning of a meeting.

How can I make the phrase "opened the meeting" more descriptive?

You can add details about who opened the meeting and how they did it. For example, "The chairman opened the meeting with a welcome address".

What is the difference between "opened the meeting" and "called the meeting to order"?

"Opened the meeting" is a general term for starting a meeting, while "called the meeting to order" is a more formal phrase, often used to signal the official start of a meeting, especially in parliamentary or organizational settings.