opened up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opened up" is a correct and usable form of written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a space, conversation, or topic has been opened or made accessible. For example, "The discussion opened up a lot of new possibilities for the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People opened up".

The New York Times

Things just opened up".

The New York Times

It opened up more doors.

Independent

The third chair opened up.

The New York Times - Magazine

A whole universe opened up.

The Economist

It opened up its markets.

The New Yorker

I opened up the box.

The Economist

"It opened up our eyes".

The New York Times

Then the floodgates opened up".

Independent

"He opened up".

The New York Times

"Finally, I opened up".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a change or new beginning, consider using "opened up" to convey a sense of opportunity or expansion. For example, "The new policy opened up possibilities for innovation".

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "opened up" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise verbs like "initiated", "revealed", or "expanded" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opened up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It commonly expresses the action of making something accessible, revealing hidden information, or expanding possibilities, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "opened up" is a versatile and frequently used phrasal verb that generally means to make something accessible, reveal something, or expand possibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific discourse, although it's most prevalent in neutral registers. When writing, be mindful of the context and audience, and consider alternatives like "became accessible" or "expanded" for more formal settings. The examples from Ludwig underscore its flexibility in conveying both tangible and abstract concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became accessible

Focuses on the aspect of accessibility, implying something was previously closed or restricted.

unveiled

Suggests a formal or deliberate act of revealing something previously hidden.

disclosed

Implies the revealing of information, often of a private or confidential nature.

expanded

Highlights the aspect of growth or increase in scope or scale.

broadened

Similar to 'expanded', but emphasizes widening the range or scope.

revealed itself

Emphasizes a more passive or gradual revealing of something.

came to light

Indicates that something previously unknown has become public knowledge.

expressed openly

Focuses on the act of expressing feelings or thoughts without reservation.

made available

Stresses the action of making something accessible for use or consumption.

initiated

Highlights starting or commencing a process or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "opened up" in a sentence?

"Opened up" can be used to describe something becoming accessible, like "The new road "opened up" access to the remote village", or someone becoming more communicative, like "He finally "opened up" about his feelings".

What are some alternatives to "opened up"?

Depending on the context, you could use "became accessible", "expanded", or "revealed" as alternatives to "opened up".

Is it correct to say "has opened up"?

Yes, "has opened up" is the present perfect tense of the phrasal verb and is grammatically correct. For example, "The investigation "has opened up" new avenues of inquiry".

What's the difference between "opened up" and "opened"?

"Opened" simply means to make something no longer closed, while "opened up" often implies a broader sense of expansion, revelation, or accessibility. For instance, a store "opened" for business, but a conversation "opened up" new perspectives.