At the very outset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At the very outset" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate the beginning a process or situation, typically to emphasize its importance. For example: "At the very outset, it is important to understand the scope of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the very outset, Eriksson told me that the last thing he wished to do was discuss Mao's murder in any legalistic vein.

The New Yorker

At the very outset of his enterprise he wrote that Dostoyevsky's personal life interested him only to the degree that it could be shown to illuminate his books.

The New York Times - Books

At the very outset Dubai's voluble chief of police Dhahi Khalfan warned that all Gulf states faced an existential threat in the form of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the very outset, a wave of sit-down strikes spread throughout the country, expressing workers' pent-up resentment toward past governments and their determination to get what they considered to be justice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"At the very outset, those who made the revolution installed a government [that] had a very good intent to develop the country and to be prosperous in the fairest way, but things went wrong somewhere.

The Guardian

At the very outset we are introduced to the boy's family as they move southward through their country in a convoy of trucks from an area controlled by "African Arabs" to their own ethnic heartland, inhabited by "pure Africans," in the book's somewhat overly reductive language of ethnicity.

The New York Times - Books

"At the very outset [HitRECord] was me in my early 20s, figuring out that as much as I love acting, playing roles conceived by other people wasn't all I wanted to do with my life," he says, his reserve thawing as he warms to a favourite subject.

The Guardian - Film

At the very outset of an organization, the organizational code will be empty.

European Journal of Futures Research

At the very outset of the discussion, it needs to be realized that the excitation rate is modulated by the interplay between several factors of different characteristics.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

At the very outset of an organization, the organizational code of the E-E model do not contain any beliefs at all.

European Journal of Futures Research

At the very outset of this nation's Constitutional order, by means of the tariff, Congress offered itself to the public as venal and corrupt.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "At the very outset" in formal writing, ensure it's followed by a comma to improve readability.

Common error

Avoid using "At the very outset" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal and stilted. Simpler alternatives like "From the start" or "Initially" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At the very outset" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a clause or sentence by specifying the time or point at which something begins. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used to set the context or introduce the initial stage of an event or discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "At the very outset" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the beginning of a process, discussion, or event. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. While it is versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal registers, signaling the importance of the initial stages. When used in more casual context, simpler alternatives might be preferred to keep the conversation smooth. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering its usage can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

From the start

Emphasizes the initial point without additional words.

Initially

A single-word adverb conveying the same meaning.

At first

Highlights the beginning in a more basic way.

In the beginning

Focuses on the start of something, simpler phrasing.

To begin with

Offers a slightly more conversational alternative.

At the inception

Highlights the very creation or start of something.

In the initial stage

More descriptive, specifying the 'stage'.

At the commencement

More formal and emphasizes the act of beginning.

From the get-go

Informal idiom with similar meaning.

In the preliminary phase

Focuses on the preparation and early actions.

FAQs

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

Use "At the very outset" to introduce a fundamental point or action at the beginning of something. For example, "At the very outset, we need to define our objectives."

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

You can use alternatives like "from the start", "initially", or "in the beginning" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "At the outset" instead of "At the very outset"?

Yes, "at the outset" is a shorter and equally correct alternative. The addition of "very" simply adds emphasis.

What is the difference between "At the very outset" and "In the first place"?

"At the very outset" refers specifically to the beginning of a process or situation, while "in the first place" often introduces a reason or justification. They are not always interchangeable.