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open-ended

open-ended

27 4.9
A plan or agreement that has no fixed end and can change
  • adjective
  • /ˈoʊpənˌɛndɪd/
translation icon : abierto
  • Among the most widely used alternatives are open-ended questions, authentic performances, and portfolio collections.
  • open-ended question
  • open-ended response
  • open-ended interview

And and ask it, ask open-ended questions and let them just start.

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Examples

  • General, broad, semi-structured, and open-ended questions were asked during the interview.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Students also responded to open-ended questions assessing their feelings about the blended format.

    Academic text (2011)
  • You need to keep asking your partner open-ended questions to know who they are.

  • You want to ask open-ended questions.

  • I just asked an open-ended question that I thought was a relevant question.

  • So this is a great starting open-ended big picture question by Mark Smith.

  • So it's an open-ended inquiry into the operations of nature.

  • Both study questionnaires contain three major sections and an open-ended question asking for comments.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Qualitative analysis of the survey's open-ended questions also shows that students benefited from the online component.

    Academic text (2011)
  • To encourage deeper conversation, you should ask your friend open-ended questions that allow for thoughtful responses.

How Open-ended

limitless
41 4.0
unrestricted
24 4.1
open-ended
27 4.9
closed
  • Specialized
7.5
fixed
1.8
limited
393 2.5

Surface Forms

open-ended positive

Morphology

open-ended = open + end (transparent) = open + end + ed

Formed by combining 'open' and 'end' with the adjectival '-ed' on 'end', yielding the clear meaning 'having no fixed end'.

Etymology

Open-ended combines two very simple words: open ('not closed') and end ('finish'). Think of an 'open road' with no clear finish — so, open-ended means something has no fixed limit or final answer.