My starting point was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My starting point was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the initial thoughts, ideas, or conditions that led to a particular conclusion or action. Example: "My starting point was the assumption that all team members would contribute equally to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"My starting point was a personal fascination," says Richter. "I couldn't ignore the idea.

Independent

"My starting point was the idea of a uniform," Beckham said after her show.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My starting point was Mervyn Peake, that kind of gothic feel.

The Guardian

"My starting point was always to observe the Aristotelian principle of letting the facts tell the story," he says.

The Guardian - Books

"My starting point was a police aesthetic, so the clothes were a bit uniform-y, uptight and strict," the designer Patrik Ervell shared backstage.

The New York Times

"My starting point was menswear, the DNA of the house — with more contemporary looks, very light, feminine and sophisticated," said Mr Dell'Acqua, who interpreted that as minimal silhouettes with a focus on fabric.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

My starting point is different.

Independent

"My starting point is simple," it reads.

The Guardian

My starting point is pretty simple.

The Guardian

My starting point is not to worry about the politics.

The New York Times

My starting point is the town of Dadri, near Delhi.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "My starting point was" to clearly introduce the fundamental idea or assumption upon which your subsequent reasoning or actions are based. This helps provide context and clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "My starting point was". Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My starting point was" serves as an introductory phrase. It signals the beginning of an explanation, argument, or discussion by establishing the foundational idea, assumption, or observation upon which the subsequent points will be built. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is usable and understandable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "My starting point was" functions as an introductory phrase used to establish the basis for an argument, explanation, or discussion. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase across different contexts. Its communicative purpose is to provide clarity and context by indicating the fundamental idea or assumption. While generally neutral in register, the phrase is frequently found in news and media, as well as academic writings. While this phrase is well accepted it's better not to overuse it, as stated in the writing guidance, and trying to rephrase will lead to a more unique and compelling writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I took as my starting point

Inverts the sentence structure while retaining the core meaning.

I began with the idea that

Focuses on the initial idea that served as the foundation.

My initial thought was

Highlights the very first thought or idea that came to mind.

Initially, I considered

Emphasizes the initial consideration or thought before further development.

I started from the premise that

Highlights the underlying assumption or premise.

At the outset, I assumed

Indicates an assumption made at the beginning.

The basis for my argument was

Specifies that the phrase is related to the argument being built.

My first step was to

Focuses on the first action taken.

The origin of this idea was

Highlights the origin or source of the idea.

The impetus for this was

Indicates the driving force or motivation behind something.

FAQs

How can I use "My starting point was" in a sentence?

You can use "My starting point was" to introduce the initial idea or assumption behind a decision, argument, or project. For example, "My starting point was the idea that we could reduce costs by streamlining our processes."

What's a more formal way to say "My starting point was"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "I began with the assumption that", or "the premise of my argument was". These alternatives sound more professional.

Is it correct to say "My starting point is" instead of "My starting point was"?

Yes, both are correct, but they indicate different time frames. "My starting point was" refers to a past initial thought, while "My starting point is" refers to a current, ongoing perspective.

What's the difference between "My starting point was" and "My initial thought was"?

"My starting point was" is broader and can refer to a base assumption, idea, or fact. "My initial thought was" specifically refers to the first idea that came to mind, which might not be the foundation of your reasoning.