opening section

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opening section" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to the initial part of a document, presentation, or any structured piece of writing. For example, "In the opening section of the report, we outline the main objectives." Alternative expressions include "introductory section" and "initial segment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts & Culture

Science

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's their journey that forms the book's bravura opening section.

The Guardian

The opening section is a tour de force.

The Guardian - Books

"House and Home" is the title of its opening section.

The Guardian - Books

Who invented the convention of an opening section labelled "Prologue"?

The Guardian - Books

That opening section might have come off as slightly meanspirited.

The Guardian - Film

A prime example of this is the opening section.

The New York Times - Arts

Here is the opening section of the essay.

The New Yorker

The book's opening section comprises 371 passages linked loosely by association in the author's memory.

The New York Times

In the crystal-clear nihilism of the opening section, one can hear echoes of Mishima.

The Guardian - Books

So the novel's opening section, "The Drowned City", is the most indirect.

The Guardian - Books

After the opening section, the dancers often wear shoes — jazz shoes, with a little heel.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In critical writing, specify what the section contains to add depth, such as 'The opening section, which outlines the historical context...'

Common error

Avoid the common mistake of adding redundant adjectives such as 'initial' or 'first' before the phrase. Phrases like 'the first opening section' are tautological because 'opening' already implies it is the first part.

Linguistic Context

In a sentence, "opening section" functions as a noun phrase. It usually serves as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is most often used to categorize a distinct portion of a creative or analytical work. It is highly flexible and adheres to standard English syntax.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Arts & Culture

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Legal & Formal

3%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "opening section" is a fundamental tool for anyone looking to analyze or describe the structure of a work. Based on the data from Ludwig AI, it is consistently used by the world's most prestigious publications to identify the start of essays, novels, musical compositions, and even political debates. Its strength lies in its neutrality and clarity, making it suitable for both a casual film review and a rigorous scientific paper. Writers should be careful to avoid redundancy (e.g. 'first opening section') and consider using synonyms like "prologue" or "opening movement" when they want to be more specific to a particular genre. Overall, it is a versatile, correct, and highly effective phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

introductory section

More formal and suggests a functional role in explaining what follows.

first section

A neutral, ordinal alternative that is highly interchangeable.

first segment

Emphasizes the sequential order in a series of parts.

initial part

A broader, less structural term that can refer to any beginning segment.

opening passage

Refers specifically to a short text or a sequence of musical notes.

starting portion

Slightly more informal and physical than a section.

prologue

Specifically refers to the opening of a literary work or play.

introductory chapter

Specific to books and long-form written narratives.

opening movement

The technical term for the first part of a musical symphony or concerto.

preamble

Refers to a formal introductory statement, often in legal or political documents.

FAQs

How to use "opening section" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the start of various works. For example: 'The "opening section" of the novel establishes a dark and ominous tone.' It is frequently used in reviews of books, movies, and music.

What can I say instead of "opening section"?

Depending on the context, you can use "introductory segment", "initial part", or "first section".

Which is correct, "opening section" or "introductory section"?

Both are correct. "opening section" is more common in general media and arts reviews, while "introductory section" is slightly more formal and often used in academic or technical papers.

What is the difference between "opening section" and "prologue"?

An "opening section" is a general term for any beginning part. A "prologue" is a specific literary device that typically exists outside the main narrative to provide background or context.