provide an opening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provide an opening" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone creates an opportunity or a chance for something to happen. For example, "The new job opportunity provided an opening for John to change his career path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The turmoil at the trust may provide an opening.

The New York Times

That could provide an opening for the generic companies.

The New York Times

The Compaq merger, according to Dell executives, should provide an opening for competitive gains.

The New York Times

And Mr Segura's firm has found that education may provide an opening for Republicans.

The Economist

If Sharapova struggles with her first serve, this could provide an opening for Errani.

The New York Times

Could this provide an opening for New York to finally get some of this new wave of cases?

The New York Times

The review could provide an opening for those opposed to gambling and further delay the project, the officials said.

The New York Times

That could provide an opening for Mr. Giuliani as he moves to capture moderate supporters of Mr. McCain.

The New York Times

Soon after his arrival, though, Cesc Fábregas and Henry were breaking to provide an opening that Alexander Hleb shot wide.

The Guardian - Sport

Or does the contest among the Tea Party candidates provide an opening for Mr. Romney in Iowa?

The New York Times

Or they could provide an opening for a competitor to pounce, or obviate the need for a search engine altogether.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provide an opening" to signal a turning point or opportunity within a narrative or analysis. For example, "The competitor's misstep provided an opening for our company to gain market share."

Common error

Avoid using "provide an opening" as a placeholder for more specific actions. Instead of saying "The meeting provided an opening," specify what kind of opening it provided, such as "The meeting provided an opening for negotiations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide an opening" functions as a verb phrase, where 'provide' is the verb and 'an opening' is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable and indicates creating an opportunity. Examples show its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provide an opening" is a versatile expression used to describe the creation of an opportunity or a chance for something to occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it signals a turning point or a newly available possibility. While "provide an opening" is widely accepted, it's crucial to use specific language to avoid vagueness and make the context clear. Alternatives such as "create an opportunity" or "offer a chance", can be used depending on the desired emphasis. In summary, "provide an opening" is a common and useful phrase, but should be employed with precision to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create an opportunity

Focuses on the act of bringing an opportunity into existence.

offer a chance

Emphasizes the offering of a possibility or occasion.

present an opportunity

Highlights the act of making an opportunity available or visible.

afford a possibility

Suggests making a potential outcome or event feasible.

establish a foothold

Implies creating a secure initial position or advantage.

pave the way

Focuses on preparing a situation or course of action to make something easier.

clear a path

Suggests removing obstacles to enable progress or advancement.

unlock potential

Emphasizes revealing or making accessible hidden capabilities or possibilities.

open the door

Implies creating access or a pathway to new possibilities.

lay the foundation

Focuses on building a basis for future development or success.

FAQs

How can I use "provide an opening" in a sentence?

You can use "provide an opening" to describe a situation that creates an opportunity or a chance for something to happen. For example, "The new policy "provides an opening" for innovation."

What are some alternatives to "provide an opening"?

Alternatives include "create an opportunity", "offer a chance", or "present an opportunity", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "provides an opening"?

Yes, "provides an opening" is grammatically correct. It is the third-person singular form of the verb phrase, as in "The new strategy "provides an opening" for growth."

What is the difference between "provide an opening" and "open the door"?

"Provide an opening" suggests creating a chance or opportunity, while "open the door" implies enabling access or making something possible. They are similar but have slightly different nuances.