At the onset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At the onset" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the beginning or initial stage of something, often in discussions about events or processes. Example: "At the onset of the project, we faced several unexpected challenges that required immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

At the onset, the service aimed to transport 1,000 passengers per day.

The Guardian

At the onset of Occupy Wall Street, the 99percentt remain loyal to America.

Huffington Post

At the onset, the BBC noted that Britain's communication department is reviewing Press TV's broadcasting license.

Huffington Post

At the onset of it, it really worked out for me.

Huffington Post

At the onset of these symptoms cyclosporine A was paused.

BMC Nephrology

At the onset of the experiments, all fish appeared healthy.

BMC Genomics

At the onset of pain, the test stops at once.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

But Carmichael urged caution in rushing to change gender at the onset of puberty.

The Guardian

My body felt hot all over, the way it did at the onset of a fever.

The New Yorker

The average age at the onset of menopause is 51, but some women start much earlier.

The New York Times - Health

The story takes up again in March - at the onset of spring.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the onset" to clearly mark the beginning of a process, event, or condition, ensuring your audience understands the initial state being discussed. For example, "At the onset of the experiment, all variables were carefully controlled".

Common error

Avoid using "at the onset" when you actually mean 'during' or 'throughout the entire duration'. "At the onset" specifically refers to the beginning. For example, it's incorrect to say "At the onset of the treatment, patients showed improvement" if the improvement occurred over the entire treatment period and not just at the beginning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At the onset" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something begins. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that it is commonly used to set a temporal context for an event or process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "At the onset" is a common and grammatically correct way to denote the beginning of an event, process, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness across a range of contexts. Primarily found in scientific and news-related content, the phrase serves to provide a temporal reference point. When using "At the onset", ensure it accurately reflects the initial stage you're referring to, avoiding confusion with the entire duration of an event. Consider alternatives like "at the beginning" or "from the outset" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At the beginning

Focuses on the simple notion of the starting point in time or sequence.

At the start

Similar to "at the beginning" but can imply a more defined point of commencement.

From the outset

Emphasizes that a particular condition or intention was present from the very start.

In the initial stage

Highlights that it's part of a multi-stage process.

In the early phase

Implies development or progress occurring.

At the inception

Highlights the creation or establishment phase.

In its infancy

Emphasizes that what you are talking about is very young and new.

Initially

This refers directly to the first action taken or state of something.

In the first instance

This denotes the very first occurrence or example of something.

To begin with

This is a phrase used to introduce the first point or action in a series.

FAQs

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

"At the onset" is used to specify the beginning of an event, process, or condition. For example, "At the onset of the storm, the wind speed increased rapidly."

What phrases are similar to "At the onset"?

Similar phrases include "at the beginning", "from the outset", or "in the initial stage". These alternatives can be used to denote the starting point of something.

Is it correct to use "At the onset of" followed by a verb?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "At the onset of" followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing used as a noun). For instance, "At the onset of testing, we collect user feedback."

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

While both phrases indicate the start of something, "at the onset" often implies a more specific and defined starting point, while "in the beginning" can be more general and broad.