Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Virgil]

I need some help on English idioms. Here's the problem.

His speech at the ceremony was _____ to misunderstanding.

Which word best fits in the blank, "subject" or "open"? If both are correct, what is the difference between them?

I do appreciate your help.

Virgil

[CP]

I would probably choose "subject," but "open" means pretty much the same thing.

The difference might be that "subject to misunderstanding" is a little more certain that there is misunderstanding than "open to misunderstanding" is. But maybe other people have different views.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Virgil]

[redset]

If you think about a door, that prevents things from entering right? If the door is open, it becomes possible for all kinds of things to enter and for consequences to result. If something is 'open to misunderstanding' it means that there's nothing like a door preventing misunderstandings from happening, it's wide open and there's a good chance that there will be misunderstanding as a result. At the speech the man probably said something ambiguous, without making it clear exactly what he meant, and some people may have thought he meant something else. By not making himself clear, he didn't 'close the door' and left his speech open to misunderstanding.

'Subject to misunderstanding' is more direct, it usually means that not only was it possible to misunderstand but that some people actually did misunderstand.

[Virgil]

Hello redset,
I appreciate your kindness. Your explanation is very clear. I guess I can use both "open" and "subject" in this case. If anyone think otherwise, please let me know.

Virgil,