opened the way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opened the way" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has created an opportunity or made it possible for something to happen. Example: "The new policy opened the way for more inclusive hiring practices within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They allow vascular bed opacification and have opened the way to detecting the microcirculation [ 18].

Critical Care

"They opened the way".

Independent

That opened the way to Freetown.

The Economist

A 1975 concert there opened the way.

The New York Times

Lal Kidwai had opened the way.

The Guardian

It sort of opened the way".

The Guardian - Sport

She opened the way for traffic.

The New Yorker

Allison's breakthrough opened the way for other cancer immunotherapy strategies.

University of California, Berkeley

This opened the way for further moves into Southeast Asia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It also opened the way for a possible political comeback.

The New York Times

And that opened the way for all sorts of change.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. While "opened the way" is generally suitable for various contexts, "paved the way" or "cleared the path" might be more appropriate for formal or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "the way was opened by..." as it can sound awkward and less direct. Instead, focus on the actor that "opened the way". For example, prefer "The new law opened the way for innovation" over "The way for innovation was opened by the new law".

Linguistic Context

Opened the way functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something has enabled or facilitated a subsequent action or event. It commonly signifies the removal of obstacles or the creation of a pathway for progress. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "opened the way" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the enablement or facilitation of a subsequent action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using "opened the way", focus on highlighting the direct cause-and-effect relationship between the initial action and its resulting possibilities. Consider alternatives like "paved the way" or "created an opportunity" to fine-tune your message for specific contexts. Remember to avoid passive voice constructions for clearer and more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paved the way

Replaces "opened" with "paved", emphasizing the preparation aspect.

cleared the path

Focuses on removing obstacles, similar to making something possible.

created an opportunity

Highlights the creation of a favorable situation.

made possible

Emphasizes the enabling aspect of the action.

set the stage

Implies preparation and anticipation of a following event.

laid the foundation

Stresses the establishment of a base for future development.

unlocked the potential

Highlights the release of previously untapped possibilities.

facilitated the process

Focuses on easing or assisting the progression of something.

initiated the action

Emphasizes the start or beginning of a process.

started the ball rolling

Informal expression for beginning a process or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "opened the way" in a sentence?

You can use "opened the way" to describe how something made something else possible. For example, "Her discovery "opened the way" for new treatments".

What are some alternatives to "opened the way"?

Some alternatives include "paved the way", "cleared the path", or "created an opportunity", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "opened the way" or "paved the way"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Opened the way" suggests a direct facilitation, while "paved the way" implies more preparation and effort.

What's the difference between "opened the way" and "created an opportunity"?

"Opened the way" suggests that a specific action or event made something possible, whereas "created an opportunity" simply means that a chance or possibility was made available, not necessarily by a direct action.