At the inception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At the inception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the beginning or starting point of an event, process, or idea. Example: "At the inception of the project, we outlined our goals and objectives to ensure clarity and direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

At the inception of the permissive society, Poitier stood as the restrained, courteous and uncorrupted star, someone truly heroic.

The Guardian - Film

At the inception of this country, they were part of the evangelical wing of the Church of England.

The New Yorker

At the inception of the Islamic republic Friday prayers were instituted and led by Ayatollah Taleghani on what used to be the football pitch of Tehran University.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the inception of crystallization, single crystals were of the single-layered polytype.

Journal of Crystal Growth

At the inception of the program there was no official recognition of EM as a primary training specialty.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

At the inception of this study, due to the quick timeline to complete the research data were only collected from the University security office.

Injury Epidemiology

At the inception of the novel in 1909, Brooke is 22 years old.

Wikipedia

At the inception of this movement, however, were undocumented parents, fighting the hard fight, regardless if anyone was listening.

Huffington Post

At the inception of this study, approximately 15,000 families had attended MEND sessions.

BMC Public Health

At the inception of this study, we knew that 10 0-ACP had a relatively stable structure and a slow rate of hydrolysis (10 0-ACP

Biochemistry

At the inception of the HGP in the early 1990s, there was optimism that the then-prevailing sequencing technology would be replaced.

Genome Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the inception", ensure that the context clearly defines what is beginning. For example, "At the inception of the project, clear goals were established."

Common error

While "at the inception" is grammatically sound, avoid using it in overly casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "at the start" or "in the beginning" may be more appropriate for everyday conversation or less formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the inception" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to specify the starting point or beginning of an event, process, or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the inception" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies the beginning or starting point of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its formality lends itself well to academic, scientific, and professional contexts, where it helps to set a temporal reference point. While versatile, it's best to reserve "at the inception" for formal writing and opt for simpler alternatives like "at the beginning" or "at the start" in more casual settings. Analysis of Ludwig's examples indicates that it's a powerful tool for clearly establishing initial conditions or circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the beginning

Replaces "inception" with a more common synonym. This is a direct and simple substitution.

at the start

Uses a different synonym for "inception", focusing on the commencement of something.

in the initial stage

Emphasizes the phase of being at the beginning. It changes the structure slightly but keeps the core meaning.

from the outset

Uses an idiom to convey the sense of 'from the very beginning'.

at the dawn

Uses metaphorical language to indicate the beginning, suggesting a new era or development.

in the early phase

Highlights the temporal aspect of the beginning, emphasizing the period soon after the start.

at the genesis

Employs a more formal and somewhat grandiose term for beginning, implying creation or origin.

in its infancy

Metaphorically refers to the early stages of development, similar to a baby's first period.

from day one

An idiomatic expression indicating 'from the very beginning', often used in informal contexts.

at ground zero

Emphasizes the very basic starting point, often used when rebuilding or starting from scratch.

FAQs

What does "at the inception" mean?

The phrase "at the inception" means at the beginning or starting point of something, such as a project, idea, or process. It's often used in formal writing.

How can I use "at the inception" in a sentence?

You can use "at the inception" to indicate when something began. For example: "At the inception of the program, there were no clear guidelines."

What can I say instead of "at the inception"?

You can use alternatives like "at the beginning", "at the start", or "from the outset" depending on the context.

Is "at the inception of" more formal than "at the start of"?

Yes, "at the inception of" generally carries a more formal and academic tone compared to the more straightforward "at the start of".