a bad start

USAGE SUMMARY

"a bad start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the initial aspect of something has not gone well. For example, "It was a bad start to our vacation when the plane got delayed".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's not a bad start.

The Guardian

That might not be a bad start.

The Economist

Things got off to a bad start.

The New Yorker

Not a bad start to the week.

The New York Times

"I agree this is a bad start.

The Economist

His comments yesterday were a bad start.

The New York Times

This cabinet is a bad start.

The Economist

It's not a bad start.

The New York Times - Sports

Myself, I had a bad start.

The New York Times - Sports

They got off to a bad start.

The Guardian - Books

It wasn't such a bad start, though.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bad start", ensure the context clearly indicates what is starting poorly. Providing specific details about the situation helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something "got off to a bad start" without explaining why. Always follow up with specific reasons or examples to illustrate the nature of the poor beginning. For instance, instead of saying "The project had a bad start", specify "The project had a bad start because of unexpected delays in acquiring necessary resources."

Linguistic Context

A bad start functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes the initial phase of an event, project, or relationship, indicating that the beginning was unfavorable or problematic. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Books

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bad start" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an unfavorable beginning. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, sports, and book-related content. When using this phrase, provide context to clarify what exactly had a poor beginning. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "an inauspicious beginning" may be appropriate in certain situations. Avoid overuse without specific details to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inauspicious beginning

Replaces "bad" with "inauspicious", emphasizing a lack of favorable conditions at the outset.

an unfortunate kickoff

Substitutes "start" with "kickoff", suggesting a beginning that is unlucky or unfavorable.

a poor commencement

Replaces "bad" with "poor" and "start" with "commencement", indicating a substandard beginning.

an unfavorable initiation

Uses "unfavorable" instead of "bad" and "initiation" instead of "start", suggesting a negative introduction.

a rough lead-in

Replaces "start" with "lead-in" and "bad" with "rough", indicating a difficult preliminary phase.

a shaky launch

Substitutes "start" with "launch" and "bad" with "shaky", suggesting an unstable or precarious beginning.

a flawed opening

Replaces "start" with "opening" and "bad" with "flawed", indicating a beginning with imperfections.

a stumbling start

Uses "stumbling" to describe the nature of the start, suggesting a clumsy or faltering beginning.

a discouraging dawn

Replaces "start" with "dawn" and "bad" with "discouraging", emphasizing the disappointing nature of the beginning.

a regrettable genesis

Substitutes "start" with "genesis" and "bad" with "regrettable", indicating a beginning that is a source of disappointment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a bad start" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "an inauspicious beginning" or "an unfavorable initiation". These options offer a more elevated and professional feel than "a bad start".

What are some common situations where "a bad start" is used?

"A bad start" is often used to describe the initial phase of projects, relationships, events, or personal endeavors. It implies that the beginning was difficult or unsuccessful. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate how this phrase is applied in various contexts, from sports to politics.

How does "a bad start" differ from "a slow start"?

"A bad start" implies that something went wrong from the beginning, causing problems or setbacks. In contrast, "a slow start" simply means that progress was initially slow, without necessarily indicating any significant issues or problems.

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

Yes, describing something as "a bad start" generally carries a negative connotation. It suggests that the initial phase was problematic, difficult, or unsuccessful. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that the situation cannot improve later on.