paving the way for

USAGE SUMMARY

"paving the way for" is correct and usable in written English.
It's typically used when talking about taking steps toward making a desired outcome more achievable. For example, "By reducing the number of hours worked, the new policy is paving the way for greater work-life balance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Paving the way for tranformation?

University of California, Berkeley

agreement as paving the way for further agreements.

The New Yorker

Are e-books paving the way for book rentals?

The New Yorker

And that is paving the way for further developments.

The New York Times - Tech

A bill, paving the way for the referendum.

The Guardian

Maybe he's paving the way for something we can't see!

The Washington Post

Are streetcars paving the way for urban development?

The Washington Post

Is Eamon Ryan paving the way for the electric car?

The Times

But its largest significance was in paving the way for the laser.

The New York Times - Science

In San Francisco, the old has a particular way of paving the way for the new.

The New York Times - Travel

Moreover, the project holds the potential of paving the way for advances in artificial intelligence.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paving the way for" to highlight how a current action directly enables future possibilities. For instance, "Investing in renewable energy is paving the way for a sustainable future."

Common error

Avoid using "paving the way for" when describing an immediate, direct consequence. It's more suitable for indicating a gradual or indirect influence. Example: Instead of "The rain paved the way for the flood", consider "The heavy rain directly caused the flood."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paving the way for" functions as a connector, specifically indicating a cause-and-effect relationship where the cause prepares or enables a future outcome. As Ludwig AI highlights, it signifies taking steps toward achieving a desired result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paving the way for" is a correct and commonly used phrase that acts as a connector, signifying that an action is making a future event more likely. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a way of illustrating how certain steps facilitate a desired outcome. It is seen most frequently in news and media, academia, and business contexts, displaying a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. To ensure correct usage, avoid using it for immediate or direct consequences. Instead, reserve it for illustrating gradual or indirect influence. Some alternatives are "preparing the ground for", "setting the stage for", and "laying the foundation for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preparing the ground for

Emphasizes readiness and foundational work being done beforehand.

setting the stage for

Suggests a more theatrical or planned progression of events.

laying the foundation for

Highlights the creation of a base or structure for future development.

making possible

Focuses on enabling or facilitating a future outcome.

opening the door to

Implies creating an opportunity or access to something.

facilitating

Highlights the act of making something easier or smoother.

clearing the path for

Suggests removing obstacles to allow for easier progress.

promoting

Focuses on advancing or encouraging a particular outcome.

contributing to

Indicates a partial influence on a future result.

aiding the development of

Specifically refers to assisting in the growth or progress of something.

FAQs

How can I use "paving the way for" in a sentence?

You can use "paving the way for" to describe an action or event that makes something else possible or more likely in the future. For example, "Her groundbreaking research is paving the way for new cancer treatments."

What are some alternatives to "paving the way for"?

You can use alternatives like "preparing the ground for", "setting the stage for", or "laying the foundation for", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "paving way for" instead of "paving the way for"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "paving the way for". Omitting "the" changes the meaning and makes the phrase grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "paving the way for" and "leading to"?

"Paving the way for" suggests creating opportunities or making something easier in the future, while "leading to" implies a more direct and immediate consequence. For example, "Investing in education is paving the way for a brighter future", versus "Ignoring safety protocols led to the accident".