At the start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the start" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the beginning of an action, event, or period of time. Example: At the start of the semester, the professor gave us a detailed syllabus outlining all the assignments and due dates.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"At the start, anything made a profit.

The New Yorker

"At the start, many times.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At the start dancers running, falling, sliding enact confusion.

The Economist

At the start, Cleveland ruled the playmaking.

The New York Times - Sports

"At the start, I didn't," he says.

BBC

"At the start players weren't sure themselves.

BBC

At the start of the 2008 09 season.

Wikipedia

At the start of the Clinton administration.

Huffington Post

At the start, it seems great..

Huffington Post

"At the start it was always pot.

Vice

"At the start, I felt so scared.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the start" to introduce a series of points, ensure clarity by explicitly stating that it is the beginning, guiding the reader through your arguments logically.

Common error

Avoid using "at the start" without a clear reference point. Always specify what is beginning to prevent confusion (e.g., "At the start of the project" instead of just "At the start").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the start" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating when something begins. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the start" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate the beginning of events, processes, or periods. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. With its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, it is a valuable tool for setting the stage in various forms of communication. Remember to provide a clear reference point when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity and to consider alternatives like "in the beginning" or "initially" to enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the beginning

This alternative emphasizes the temporal aspect of the commencement of something, similar to "at the start".

initially

This single-word alternative serves as an adverb to indicate the early stage of an event or process.

at the outset

This option provides a more formal synonym for "at the start", often used in business or academic contexts.

to begin with

This phrase introduces the first point or action in a sequence, similar to setting the stage "at the start".

in the first place

While often used to express disagreement, it can also denote the initial reason or condition, like "at the start".

at the inception

This is a more formal alternative, highlighting the very moment something was created or began.

from the get-go

This idiom indicates from the very beginning, emphasizing immediacy and directness.

in its infancy

This phrase emphasizes the early stages of development, implying immaturity or potential for growth.

early on

This simple alternative highlights the early phase of a process or event, focusing on the timing.

in the initial phase

This alternative explicitly references a stage, implying that what follows is part of a larger process.

FAQs

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

You can use "at the start" to indicate the beginning of an event, process, or period. For example, "At the start of the meeting, the agenda was reviewed."

What are some alternatives to using "at the start"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "in the beginning", "initially", or "at the outset".

Is it better to use "at the start" or "in the beginning"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "At the start" might be slightly more specific to a particular event or activity, while "in the beginning" can refer to a more general commencement.

What is the difference between "at the start" and "from the start"?

While both refer to the beginning, "at the start" focuses on the initial point in time, whereas "from the start" emphasizes a continuous state or action from the very beginning.