Right at the beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Right at the beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the very start of a process, event, or narrative. Example: "Right at the beginning of the meeting, we discussed the agenda for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Right at the beginning two parallel conceits are set in motion.

The New York Times

It comes right at the beginning.

The New Yorker

And that started right at the beginning.

The Guardian

"I stick to what I said right at the beginning.

The New York Times - Sports

Dan Lepard, baker extraordinaire, was there right at the beginning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Gore assumes no knowledge and starts right at the beginning.

The Guardian - Opinion

This heightened attention to comical or would-be comical "art" came out right at the beginning.

The New York Times - Arts

Our objective is to meet them before they arrive and start right at the beginning.

The New Yorker

He said he regretted not breaking RBS up right at the beginning.

Independent

"The reason we look at comets is that they were there right at the beginning.

The Guardian

You know it's right at the beginning.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Right at the beginning", ensure it clearly indicates the starting point to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Right at the beginning of the project, we set clear goals."

Common error

Avoid using "Right at the very beginning" as it's often redundant. The word "right" already implies immediacy and exactness, so adding "very" doesn't enhance the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Right at the beginning" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it pinpoints the immediate starting point of an action or event, adding emphasis to the temporal aspect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Right at the beginning" serves as an adverbial phrase that clearly indicates the starting point of an event or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and possesses a neutral register. While alternatives such as "at the outset" and "from the start" exist, it is essential to avoid redundancy by not using "Right at the very beginning". Overall, this phrase is a common and effective way to highlight the commencement of an action or event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At the very start

Emphasizes the initial point, similar to the original phrase, but replaces "beginning" with "start".

From day one

Emphasizes that something has been the case since the very first day.

From the outset

A more formal alternative that highlights the commencement or inception of something.

At the inception

Focuses on the moment something is created or initiated, often used in formal contexts.

Right from the get-go

An informal expression emphasizing immediacy and directness from the beginning.

In the initial phase

Highlights the early stage of a process or project.

In the early stages

Focuses on the preliminary part of development or progression.

At the dawn of

Evokes a sense of the beginning of an era or significant event.

At first light

A more poetic expression that captures the sense of a new beginning.

At the jump-off

Informal expression implying the starting point for an activity.

FAQs

How can I use "Right at the beginning" in a sentence?

You can use "Right at the beginning" to indicate the very start of an event, process, or story. For example, "Right at the beginning, we established the rules of the game."

What are some alternatives to "Right at the beginning"?

Alternatives include phrases like "at the outset", "from the start", or "initially", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Right at the very beginning"?

While understandable, "right at the very beginning" can be redundant. "Right at the beginning" already implies immediacy, so "very" is often unnecessary.

What's the difference between "Right at the beginning" and "In the beginning"?

"Right at the beginning" emphasizes a specific, immediate start, whereas "in the beginning" can refer to a more general or distant origin. For example, "In the beginning, there was darkness" refers to a more foundational origin.