At the very beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At the very beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the initial stage or starting point of a process, event, or narrative. Example: "At the very beginning of the project, we outlined our goals and objectives to ensure everyone was on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the very beginning it was a battle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At the very beginning, we give the following remark.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

At the very beginning you'll probably have loads of questions.

WikiHow

Let's start at the very beginning.

The Guardian - Tech

She was at the very beginning for women".

The New York Times

EAVAN BOLAND: Well, certainly not at the very beginning.

The New Yorker

But he almost did, at the very beginning.

The New York Times

We were at a moment where we were at the very beginning.

The New Yorker

And we're only at the very beginning.

Forbes

The operators' state is initialized at the very beginning.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The sensor was flat at the very beginning.

Robotics and Biomimetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, use "At the very beginning" to clarify the first essential step that needs to be taken. This leaves no room for ambiguity or confusion about where to start.

Common error

Avoid using "At the very beginning" when you mean to describe an early stage that is not necessarily the absolute starting point. Instead, consider using "early on" or "initially" to prevent miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At the very beginning" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the temporal context. Ludwig shows that it typically introduces or emphasizes the commencement of an event, process, or narrative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "At the very beginning" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to emphasize the commencement of an event or process. Ludwig AI indicates its versatility across various contexts, from formal to informal, with a slight skew towards News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the absolute starting point you intend to convey, and consider alternatives like "right at the start" or "from the outset" for slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Right at the start

Emphasizes immediacy and directness in initiating something.

From the outset

Suggests a formal and planned commencement.

At the inception

Highlights the point of origin or creation.

In the initial phase

Focuses on the first stage of a multi-stage process.

At the dawn of

Conveys a sense of novelty and new beginnings.

At the genesis

Implies the beginning or origin of something, often with a sense of importance.

From day one

Indicates that something has been true or consistent since the very start.

In the preliminary stages

Highlights the introductory steps or groundwork.

At square one

Suggests starting over from the most basic level.

From the jump

Implies an immediate and energetic start.

FAQs

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

"At the very beginning" is used to emphasize the start of something. For example, "At the very beginning, it was a battle" or "At the very beginning, there were 14 startups".

What are some alternatives to "At the very beginning"?

Alternatives include "right at the start", "from the outset", or "in the initial phase", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "At the very beginning" formal or informal?

"At the very beginning" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

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

"At the very beginning" emphasizes the absolute starting point, while "In the beginning" can refer more broadly to an early phase. "At the very beginning" is more emphatic.