unlocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unlocking" is a correctly spelled, correctly used word in written English.
It can be used as a verb in phrases such as "She unlocked the door" or as a noun in phrases like "He was searching for the unlocking of the secrets within the ancient book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is powerful because it is not just a film about someone getting their painting back; it is a means of unlocking everything that happened to those families".

The Guardian - Arts

Ultimately we have to take the responsibility for unlocking that understanding and here was an opportunity to provide a transparency and context which is so difficult to achieve in other ways.

The Guardian

Matt Mason is the chief content officer at BitTorrent, and the driving force behind the company's "Bundles" initiative, which gets musicians, filmmakers, authors and other creators to release their work packaged up as torrent files, with fans unlocking the full contents usually by entering their email address.

The Guardian - Tech

Undoubtedly there will be those who benefit from this devolution of powers to individual cities unlocking hidden potential and new wealth.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You're unlocking a huge latent capacity that's in our grid infrastructure," says Taylor.

The Guardian

But he has come under criticism from the country's European creditors, with whom negotiations on unlocking the final €7.2bn instalment of Greece's bailout have stalled.

The Guardian

Talks aimed at unlocking desperately needed rescue funds – €7.2bn (£5.3bn) from the last bailout has been held up as both sides haggle over reforms – have been beset by problems since the far-left Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras assumed power in January.

The Guardian

Without sounding like a marketing manual, this is the key to unlocking what makes your organisation unique.

The Guardian

Many cars that use radio keys no longer have separate key locks for manual operation, so the jammer can stop a driver from either locking or unlocking their car using their key.

The Guardian - Tech

I am told by Pride's writer Stephen Beresford that Mike Jackson, co-founder of the LGSM, is the key to unlocking the story and has been his right-hand man.

The Guardian - Film

Data scientists are in high demand as executives seek talented individuals capable of unlocking the hidden value from big data to create big business results.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unlocking" metaphorically, ensure the image of removing a barrier to reveal potential or opportunity is clear and relevant to your context. For example, "unlocking innovation" suggests removing constraints to foster creativity.

Common error

Avoid using "unlocking" when the intended meaning is simply resolving a problem. "Unlocking" implies revealing potential or enabling access, not just fixing an issue.

Linguistic Context

Unlocking primarily functions as a present participle, often used in continuous verb tenses (e.g., "is unlocking") or as a gerund (verbal noun). Ludwig AI validates this, with examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "unlocking" is a versatile present participle commonly used to describe the act of enabling access or revealing potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammatical rules and finds frequent application across diverse sources, notably in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to use "unlocking" precisely, ensuring it aligns with the intended meaning of removing a barrier rather than simply solving a problem. The analysis highlights that alternatives like "gaining access to" or "revealing" can offer nuanced options depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaining access to

Focuses on the attainment of entry or availability, differing from "unlocking" which implies a removal of a barrier.

revealing

Emphasizes the act of making something known or visible, whereas "unlocking" suggests a process to get to that point.

enabling

Highlights the act of making something possible, a broader concept than "unlocking" which often implies a specific action.

facilitating

Implies making a process easier, slightly different from "unlocking" which suggests removing an obstacle.

opening up

Suggests a broader unveiling or making available, less specific than "unlocking".

realizing

Focuses on achieving or making something a reality, changing the metaphor.

unveiling

Highlights the act of revealing something previously hidden, similar to but distinct from "unlocking".

activating

Specifically suggests turning something on or making it functional.

releasing

Implies freeing something from constraint, adding connotation of liberty.

accessing

Highlights the act of reaching or using something, altering the emphasis from enabling to using.

FAQs

How can "unlocking" be used in a sentence?

You can use "unlocking" as a verb, such as "She is "unlocking new opportunities" for the company", or as a noun: "The "unlocking of the secrets" was a long process".

What is a good alternative to "unlocking"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "unlocking" can include "enabling", "revealing", or "facilitating".

What does it mean to say someone is "unlocking potential"?

Saying someone is "unlocking potential" suggests they are "removing barriers" or providing resources that allow someone or something to achieve their full capabilities.

Is there a difference between "unlocking" and "accessing"?

"Unlocking" often implies removing an initial obstacle to something, while "accessing" simply means gaining entry or using something that is already available.