What is opening? Pronunciation and usage in English

opening means . Learn how to pronounce and use opening through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of opening

openingnoun

/ˈəʊp(ə)nɪŋ/
Definition & pronunciation of opening

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "opening" in English. Here's a breakdown of the sounds and a few different ways to say it:

1. The Phonetic Breakdown:

  • O: Pronounced like the "o" in "go" or "low" - a short, open vowel sound.
  • pen: Pronounced like the "pen" in "pen" - a brief, crisp "n" sound.
  • ing: This is the trickiest part. It's a diphthong, meaning it's a blended vowel sound. It sounds like "ih-ng" (as in "tin-ng").

2. Common Pronunciations:

  • Most Common (American English): /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/ (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

    • This roughly translates to: "OH-pen-ing" (emphasize the first syllable "OH")

  • British English: /ˈɒpənɪŋ/ (IPA)

    • This roughly translates to: "OP-en-ing" (emphasize the first syllable "OP") - The "o" sound here is more like the "ah" in "father."

3. Tips for Saying It Right:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("OH").
  • "ing" Sound: Really focus on the "ih-ng" sound in "ing." Don't just pronounce a normal "ng" sound like in "sing." Think of it as a quick little “ih” followed immediately by the “ng.”
  • Smooth Transition: Make sure the “pen” sound flows smoothly into the “ih” of the “ing.”

Resources for Hearing It:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/opening/ (This website has native speakers pronounce the word)
  • Google Translate: You can type "opening" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon to hear it pronounced.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of English are you interested in? (American, British, Australian, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word opening in English

Let's break down how to use the word "opening" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its common usages, categorized for clarity:

1. Physical Openings (Most Common)

  • Starting a Door/Window/Box: "He was carefully opening the box with a knife." "She pushed the opening in the curtains to let in the sunlight." "Please open the door for me."
  • Beginning a Container: "The baker was opening the bag of flour." "She opened a can of soup."
  • Starting a Route: "The road has an opening through the mountains." (meaning a gap or passage)

2. Events & Activities (Beginning Something)

  • A Performance/Event: “The theater has a gala opening next week.” (Referring to the start of a show or performance series) "The restaurant is having a grand opening." (The first day it’s open for business)
  • A Meeting/Discussion: "The meeting started with a brief opening statement." “Let’s open the discussion about the budget.”
  • A Negotiation: "The diplomats began with a formal opening of negotiations."

3. Figurative Meanings (Less Literal)

  • Opportunity/Chance: “This is a great opening for a new career.” (Meaning a chance to start something new) "The company was looking for an opening in the market.” (A way to gain a foothold)
  • A Way In/Approach: "He used a clever opening to start the conversation." (A beginning remark or tactic) “That was a good opening to the argument.”
  • Revealing Something: "The report’s opening paragraphs provided valuable background information." (Introducing or revealing details)

4. As a Noun (the thing being opened)

  • A door opening: "I noticed a car speeding through the opening in the fence."
  • A passage: "The explorers followed the opening into the dark cave."
  • A chance/opportunity: “This is my chance for an opening.”

5. As a Verb (Phrases)

  • To open up: (To become more friendly or talkative) “She opened up to me about her problems.” (Also, to reveal something) "The company opened up its accounts to auditors."
  • To open up about: (To talk about something difficult or personal) "He decided to open up about his childhood."
  • To open up a discussion: (To start talking about something) “Let's open up a discussion about diversity.”

Here's a table summarizing some common uses:

Usage Meaning Example
Physical Opening Starting a physical space "She was opening the window."
Event Opening Beginning a performance/event "The play had a successful opening."
Opportunity A chance or way in "This is a good opening for a business."
Open Up To reveal or become friendly "He opened up about his fears."

Tips for Using "Opening" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "opening" depends heavily on the surrounding words.
  • Consider the noun: When referring to the thing being opened, use “opening” as a noun.
  • Think about the action: When referring to the action of opening, use “opening” as a verb.

Can you give me a sentence you'd like to practice using "opening" in, or a specific situation where you're unsure how to use it correctly? That would help me give you even more tailored advice.

Synonyms for the word opening

Practice with vocabulary opening

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The recent __________ of the new community center has significantly benefited local residents.
  2. Before the main presentation, the CEO delivered some __________ remarks to welcome everyone.
  3. The official __________ of the new trade negotiations is set for Monday.
  4. The company is actively seeking to fill a __________ in its IT department.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The architect designed a large __________ in the wall to allow for more natural light. A) aperture B) cavity C) opening D) fissure

  2. We are excited to announce the official __________ of our new branch office next month. A) inauguration B) grand debut C) opening D) launch

  3. The HR department announced a new job __________ for a marketing specialist. A) vacancy B) position C) opening D) availability

  4. The official __________ of the new fiscal year always brings a fresh set of financial challenges. A) commencement B) inception C) onset D) beginning

  5. A small __________ in the pipeline led to a significant loss of water. A) breach B) crack C) perforation D) rupture

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The first section of the report highlights the key findings from the preliminary study. Rewrite the sentence using "opening" or a related word form.

  2. The company is currently looking to hire a software engineer for an available role. Rewrite the sentence using "opening" or a related word form.

  3. A crack in the foundation allowed water to seep into the basement. Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "opening". Use a suitable replacement word.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. opening
  2. opening
  3. commencement
  4. vacancy

Exercise 2:

  1. A) aperture, C) opening
  2. A) inauguration, C) opening, D) launch
  3. A) vacancy, B) position, C) opening
  4. A) commencement, D) beginning
  5. A) breach, B) crack, C) perforation, D) rupture

Exercise 3:

  1. The opening section of the report highlights the key findings from the preliminary study.
  2. The company currently has an opening for a software engineer.
  3. A fissure in the foundation allowed water to seep into the basement.

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