At the beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

"At the beginning" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to when something starts, or as a way to introduce a topic. For example: "At the beginning of this essay, I will discuss the impact of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not at the beginning.

The New York Times - Arts

Let's start at the beginning.

The New York Times

If was at the Beginning.

The New Yorker

"We're just at the beginning.

The New York Times - Science

Let's begin at the beginning.

The Economist

We had expensive stuff at the beginning.

The New York Times

We're fabric-based at the beginning.

Independent

It was really overwhelming at the beginning.

The New York Times

A. I hated ballet at the beginning.

The New York Times - Arts

It was platonic at the beginning.

Independent

Tragedy, in fact, struck at the beginning.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "At the beginning" to clearly mark the commencement of a story, process, or argument to help readers follow your line of thought from its origin.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "At the beginning". Use synonyms like "Initially" or "To start" to vary your writing and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At the beginning" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the temporal starting point of an action, event, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "At the beginning" is a versatile phrase used to denote the starting point of an event, process, or narrative. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. While generally neutral in tone, remember to vary your phrasing to avoid repetition, and be mindful of its specific temporal context. Top sources like The New York Times and BBC exemplify its usage across diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At the start

This alternative is a more concise and informal version.

Initially

This alternative is a single word adverb, shorter and more direct.

At first

This alternative indicates a temporary situation that may change.

To begin with

This alternative introduces a sequence of points or actions.

To start off

This alternative implies an informal launch or commencement.

First of all

This alternative introduces the first point in a series.

In the initial phase

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a specific stage.

From the outset

This alternative highlights intentions or plans at the very start.

In the first place

This alternative emphasizes priority or original position.

At inception

This alternative is formal and emphasizes the creation or establishment.

FAQs

How can I use "At the beginning" in a sentence?

You can use "At the beginning" to introduce the initial phase of an event, process, or narrative. For example, "At the beginning of the movie, the protagonist faces a significant challenge".

What phrases are similar to "At the beginning"?

Similar phrases include "initially", "to begin with", and "at the start", which all indicate the starting point of something.

Is it redundant to say "At the very beginning"?

While "At the very beginning" is not grammatically incorrect, it can sometimes be redundant. "At the beginning" already implies the start, but "At the very beginning" can be used for emphasis if needed.

What's the difference between "At the beginning" and "In the beginning"?

"At the beginning" typically refers to a specific starting point in a process or story, whereas "In the beginning" often has a more general or even philosophical connotation, such as referring to the creation or origin of something.