opening the floor

USAGE SUMMARY

"opening the floor" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
The phrase is typically used to introduce or open a discussion or presentation. For example, "Now I'd like to open the floor to questions from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Before opening the floor for questions, Payne delivered an opening statement, from notes, in which he acknowledged that the sport's stagnant growth is a major concern.

The New York Times - Sports

The event ended with opening the floor to the audience.

The New York Times

The meetings typically begin with Mr. Murdoch opening the floor to questions, Mr. Mayne said.

The New York Times

"Let's get our priorities right in 2004," he said before opening the floor to questions.

The New York Times

"We've just heard a very dour intel briefing," the national-security adviser said, opening the floor to discussion.

The New Yorker

And the company, which credits Shakespeare, Fletcher and Theobald in its program, deserves credit for opening the floor to all sides of the debate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Opening the floor-to-ceiling French windows, on the third floor, I look out to what no Renaissance painter ever adequately rendered, the hyper-blue Portovenere Bay, its bawdy harbor, a piazza free of any structured brush work, and the marine gateway to the Cinque Terra.

Huffington Post

After Miles made an opening statement, the moderator opened the floor to questions.

The New York Times

Then Ross opened the floor to questions.

The New York Times

Mick Jagger opened the floor to questions.

The New Yorker

After the talk, Solt opened the floor to questions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opening the floor" when you want to formally invite questions, comments, or discussion from an audience or group. It's appropriate for presentations, meetings, and public forums.

Common error

Avoid using "opening the floor" in very informal conversations. Instead, opt for phrases like "What do you think?" or "Any questions?" to maintain a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opening the floor" functions as a performative utterance that signals a transition in a formal setting. It indicates the speaker's intent to relinquish control and invite audience participation, as evidenced by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "opening the floor" is a widely accepted idiomatic phrase used to signal the start of an interactive session, typically involving questions, comments, or general discussion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in neutral to formal settings, particularly in news and media. While highly useful in presentations and meetings, it's advisable to avoid overusing it in more informal conversations. Alternative phrases such as "invite questions" or "begin the discussion" may be suitable depending on the specific context. The phrase serves as an invitation to actively participate and promotes open communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open up for discussion

Slightly less formal and more conversational than the original phrase.

begin the discussion

Emphasizes the start of a conversation, potentially excluding immediate audience input.

invite questions

Focuses solely on soliciting inquiries, lacking the broader implication of opening a discussion.

allow for discussion

Implies permission rather than active initiation.

start the Q&A

Specifically refers to question and answer sessions, omitting other forms of engagement.

make room for comments

Highlights space creation to provide commentary, not just asking questions.

call for contributions

Highlights the act of requesting input, which may involve ideas instead of questions.

solicit feedback

Focuses specifically on gathering opinions, potentially excluding general inquiries.

yield the platform

More formal and indicates surrendering control, not merely starting a discussion.

give opportunity to speak

Focuses on providing a chance to talk, which can be different from a structured conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "opening the floor" in a sentence?

You might say, "After the presentation, we will be "opening the floor" for questions from the audience" or "The chairman "opened the floor" to public comment".

What does "opening the floor" mean?

It means to invite or allow an audience or group to participate in a discussion, typically by asking questions or making comments. It's a way of formally relinquishing control and encouraging interaction.

Which is more appropriate: "opening the floor" or "open for questions"?

"Opening the floor" is a more formal and idiomatic way to invite discussion. "Open for questions" is simpler and more direct, suitable for less formal settings. Consider your audience and the context when choosing between them.

What are some alternatives to "opening the floor"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "invite questions", "begin the discussion", or "open up for discussion". Each carries slightly different nuances in formality and scope.