a bad beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unfavorable or unfortunate start to a situation, story, or event. Example: "Despite a bad beginning, the team managed to turn the project around and achieve success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

We got off to a bad beginning.

The New York Times

As apology tours go, it wasn't a bad beginning.

The New York Times

A decade ago it was calculated that one in every eight Pakistani men in Britain was a taxi- or minicab-driver.It was a bad beginning.

The Economist

AFTER a bad beginning, Fiona Flaherty has done well.

The Economist

It has been a bad beginning for Ms. Alliot-Marie, who was appointed as foreign minister in November.

The New York Times

Start with Snicket's first book, "A Bad Beginning," and you'll want the rest of the series (Harper Audio, $20 or less per book).

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It had a very bad beginning.

The New York Times - Magazine

And we're always so pleased that Annie gets a happy ending, despite her bad beginning.

The Guardian

In 2008, a television series called Breaking Bad began receiving unprecedented critical and popular acclaim.

TechCrunch

The work unfolded like a bad joke, beginning with the giant inflatable Earth tossed about by several dancers and continuing through interminable passages in which performers snapped cellphone candids and perkily announced (and mimed) Facebook status updates.

The New York Times - Arts

He was on four medications for prevention, including the Botox, and had four escalating rescue treatments that he could resort to whenever a bad headache began to mount.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bad beginning" to introduce a narrative or situation where initial circumstances are unfavorable. It sets the stage for potential challenges or a need for improvement.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "a bad beginning" as it can sound cliché. Consider using more descriptive language to illustrate the specific nature of the unfavorable start, such as "a disastrous opening" or "an ill-fated launch."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad beginning" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showcasing its usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bad beginning" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an unfavorable or unfortunate start. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. Though alternatives exist, such as "an inauspicious start" or "a rocky start", "a bad beginning" succinctly sets the stage for narratives involving initial challenges. Be mindful of potential overuse, opting for more descriptive language when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inauspicious start

Replaces "bad" with "inauspicious", emphasizing a lack of promise for success.

an unfortunate outset

Substitutes "beginning" with "outset" and "bad" with "unfortunate", highlighting the negative nature of the start.

a rocky start

Employs a more figurative expression, "rocky start", to describe a difficult beginning.

a difficult commencement

Replaces "beginning" with the more formal "commencement" and "bad" with "difficult", indicating a challenging start.

a poor initiation

Uses "poor initiation" to suggest a substandard or inadequate beginning.

an unpromising kickoff

Utilizes "unpromising kickoff" to convey a beginning that does not inspire confidence.

an unfavorable dawn

Employs a metaphorical "unfavorable dawn" to represent a bleak or negative beginning.

a shaky takeoff

Suggests an unstable or precarious start with "shaky takeoff".

a substandard launch

Replaces "beginning" with "launch" and uses "substandard" to indicate a below-average start.

an imperfect genesis

Replaces "beginning" with "genesis" and "bad" with "imperfect", suggesting a flawed origin.

FAQs

How can I use "a bad beginning" in a sentence?

You can use "a bad beginning" to describe an unfavorable start to a situation. For example, "Despite "a bad beginning", the project eventually became a success".

What are some alternatives to "a bad beginning"?

Alternatives include "an inauspicious start", "an unfortunate outset", or "a rocky start", depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a bad beginning"?

Yes, "a bad beginning" inherently implies a negative or unfavorable start. It suggests that initial circumstances are difficult or problematic.

What makes "a bad beginning" different from "a challenging start"?

"A bad beginning" emphasizes the negative aspects and potential for failure, while "a challenging start" focuses more on the difficulty and effort required to overcome initial obstacles. The latter is less pessimistic.