At the origin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At the origin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to mathematics, physics, or discussions about starting points or beginnings. Example: "The graph of the function intersects the y-axis at the origin."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Facebook, it seems, gets nauseous when it looks at The Origin of the World.

The Guardian - Opinion

The vectors intersecting at the origin represent the original variables.

Heritage Science

And her latest offerings will be exhibited at the Origin London craft fair in October.

The Guardian - Money

To find such diversity at the origin of things is a very positive thing to do".

The Guardian - Books

PISA findings such as this are at the origin of much policy work.

The New York Times

This principle of inclusiveness lies at the origin of the European Union.

The New York Times

To ancient Africa and be here at the origin of the human being.

The Guardian - Books

Presumably, the values of these parameters were set at the origin of the universe.

The New York Times - Books

To understand Palantir, it helps to start at the origin.

TechCrunch

Accident scenarios are at the origin of phenomena.

Thermal-Hydraulics of Water Cooled Nuclear Reactors

So "being at the origin" is not an invariant.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the origin" in technical writing, clearly define the coordinate system or reference point to avoid ambiguity. Ensure that the origin is well-understood within the context of your explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "at the origin" when you intend to express the cause or reason for something. While the origin can be a factor, it doesn't always fully explain the cause. Use phrases like "due to" or "because of" for causal relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the origin" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate location, source, or starting point. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate this in various contexts, from scientific origins to graphical intersections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the origin" functions as a prepositional phrase that signifies the starting point, source, or cause of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse fields, particularly in science and news. While adaptable to numerous situations, it's important to differentiate between an origin and a direct cause to avoid misinterpretation. Keep in mind this advice when using the phrase: Clearly define reference points in technical contexts. Remember, you can replace the phrase by using other correct alternatives such as "at the source" or "at the root", depending on your particular need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At the source

This phrase directly equates to the initial point from which something comes, maintaining a high degree of similarity.

At the root

This alternative implies a deeper, more fundamental cause or reason, rather than just a starting point.

At the foundation

This phrase suggests a structural or conceptual base upon which something is built.

At the start

This alternative is a more general term for the beginning of something, lacking the depth of "origin".

At its inception

This phrase highlights the moment of creation or establishment, often used in formal contexts.

At the genesis

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the creation or birth of something.

From the beginning

This phrase focuses on the entire duration from the start, unlike the specific point of origin.

From the outset

Similar to "from the beginning", this emphasizes the initial phase and intention.

In the beginning

This alternative emphasizes the initial stage or period, often with a more narrative or historical connotation.

At the heart of

This alternative shifts the focus to the core or central aspect, rather than the initial point.

FAQs

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

You can use "at the origin" to describe the starting point of something, such as "The disease was thought to have started "at the origin" of the outbreak" or when referring to a point on a graph, for example, "The two lines intersect "at the origin"".

What phrases are similar to "at the origin"?

Alternatives to "at the origin" include "at the source", "from the beginning", or "at the root". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the problem is at the origin"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common and often clearer to say "the problem lies "at the origin"" or "the origin of the problem is...".

What's the difference between "at the origin" and "in the beginning"?

"At the origin" typically refers to a specific starting point or source, while "in the beginning" refers to the initial period or stage. For example, "The error occurred "at the origin" of the calculation", versus "In the beginning, there was nothing".