open up an opportunity vs give somebody an opportunity

Both phrases are correct and can be used in English, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'Open up an opportunity' implies creating an opportunity or making one available, while 'give somebody an opportunity' focuses on providing an opportunity to a person.

Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: September 23, 2024 • 7557 views

open up an opportunity

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It means to create or make available an opportunity.

This phrase is used when talking about creating or making available an opportunity for someone or something. It implies the action of opening up a chance or possibility.

Examples:

The new project will open up an opportunity for young entrepreneurs.
His resignation opened up an opportunity for others to step into leadership roles.

Show examples from the web [+]

The Lisbon Treaty opens up an opportunity by creating the European External Action Service.
Starting to open up such an opportunity would be an enormously stabilising influence on the democratic process in Ukraine.
The most important aspect of this debate is the public pressure, which opens up an enormous opportunity for Parliament to represent citizens not only in splendid theoretical pronouncements, but also in practice.
This is a big opportunity, an opportunity for the industry to open up new markets and an opportunity for medium-sized companies to penetrate these markets, too.
This opens up opportunities for EU businesses.
Opens up opportunities for a fuller use of the Fund.
Social change must also open up opportunities for the individual on a broad front.
This would open up opportunities for North Korea to access funds from the IMF, the Asian Development Bank and others.
This was a very interesting campaign and initiative which aimed to open up opportunities across the board.
It is precisely the linking of instruments, a more integral approach to matters such as research, that opens up opportunities.
If we do the right things, we can also open up opportunities for companies and technology in a range of areas.
Male failure might open up opportunities for women to smash through the glass ceiling
It improves the quality of public services, but most of all it opens up opportunities for industry to take the lead in international markets.
Every step which we take towards simplification is a good thing, provided that it does not open up opportunities for abuse.
New communication technologies must be developed to put an end to isolation and open up opportunities for economic development in the ORs.
Internal market legislation must open up opportunities to trade and business, to give consumers and citizens increased choice, while protecting environmental, social and consumer rights.
When you learn to read and write, it opens up opportunities for you to learn so many other things.
I hope that the recent proposal by the Portuguese Foreign Minister to hold regular Euro-African summits can open up opportunities in this area.
Understandably, the Council refused to give way because, like MEPs, Member State governments were elected to open up opportunities for people, not to restrict their freedom.
Cooperation among Member States and with countries and regions from the EU neighbourhood such as the Black Sea, Baltic and Mediterranean opens up opportunities to prevent transborder pollution.

Alternatives:

create an opportunity
provide an opportunity
offer an opportunity
present an opportunity
make available an opportunity

give somebody an opportunity

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It means to provide someone with a chance or possibility.

This phrase is used when specifically focusing on providing an opportunity to someone. It implies the action of giving someone a chance to do something.