Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
I'm at the beginning
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
in the beginning
early stages
I've just begun
as a movie
during the opening phase
to carry on with
at first chronicles
at first thinking
in advance of starting
at this early juncture
at the first table
as the first moves
in the initial phase
on first inspection
as a picture
at the first forum
at the first strike
at the time of creation
as a person
in the first case
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
16 human-written examples
"Right now, I haven't even competed yet, so I'm at the beginning stages of that," he said.
News & Media
"I'm at the beginning of the end.
News & Media
"I'm at the beginning of this," he said.
News & Media
"I'm at the beginning of a journey with Shine.
News & Media
I feel like I'm at the beginning of a Batman movie.
News & Media
STEGGERT I'm at the beginning of my career as an artist.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
44 human-written examples
I think I'm now less clear about what Tom and Barney are actually doing than I was at the beginning.
News & Media
Dear GrantDoctor, I am at the beginning stage of my academic career at the University of California, San Francisco, with an assistant professor status pending.
Science & Research
"But at least I'm not terrified like I was at the beginning.
News & Media
I was at the beginning of shooting politics.
News & Media
And I knew that I was at the beginning of a long process of self-education.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In professional settings, you can heighten the formality by using "I am at the beginning" without the contraction to sound more deliberate and authoritative.
Common error
Avoid using the preposition 'on' with this phrase. While 'on the start' might be a common slip, "I'm at the beginning" is the standard idiomatic expression. Additionally, be careful not to confuse it with 'in the beginning', which usually refers to the initial time period of a story or historical event rather than a specific point in a current process.
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "I'm at the beginning" functions as a declarative independent clause consisting of a subject ('I'), a linking verb ('am'), and a prepositional phrase ('at the beginning') acting as a subject complement. According to Ludwig AI and the associated snippets, it primarily serves to establish the speaker's current progress or lack thereof within a linear process.
Frequent in
News & Media
75%
Science
15%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Encyclopedias
3%
Social Media
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In conclusion, "I'm at the beginning" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the starting point of any endeavor. Ludwig AI data shows a strong prevalence of this phrase in high-quality journalism and scientific writing, where it often precedes the preposition 'of' to specify the context. While alternatives like "I'm at the start" or "early stages" exist, this phrase remains a standard choice for both professional and casual communication. It is most effective when used to manage expectations about a project's timeline or to reflect on the early phase of a journey or career.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
I am just starting
Uses the present continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing nature of the action.
I'm only at the beginning
Adds the adverb 'only' to emphasize that there is a significant amount of work remaining.
I'm at the start
Uses 'start' instead of 'beginning', which is slightly more punchy and direct.
I'm in the early stages
More technical or professional phrasing often used in project management.
I've just begun
Employs the present perfect tense to signal a recent completion of the starting point.
I'm in the beginning
Changes the preposition from 'at' to 'in', which can imply a more immersive or general state.
I'm at the outset
A more formal and literary alternative to denote the very beginning of an undertaking.
I'm starting out
A common phrasal verb often used when discussing careers or life journeys.
I am just commencing
Highly formal, typically reserved for academic, legal or ceremony-related contexts.
I'm at the threshold
A metaphorical variation implying one is about to enter a new phase or experience.
FAQs
How do I use "I'm at the beginning" in a sentence?
You can use it to describe being in the early phase of something. For example: "I'm at the beginning of a long research process." Many examples from Ludwig show it used in interviews to describe careers or project statuses.
What is a more professional way to say "I'm at the beginning"?
Depending on the context, you could use "I'm in the early stages" for project reports or "I'm at the outset" for a more formal tone in writing.
Is it "at the beginning" or "in the beginning"?
Usually, "I'm at the beginning" refers to a specific point in a sequence (e.g., 'at the beginning of the movie'). In contrast, "in the beginning" is used for a general period of time or when starting a narrative, like the first lines of a book.
Can I use "I'm at the start" instead?
Yes, "I'm at the start" is a perfectly interchangeable alternative that is slightly more common in casual conversation.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested