a better beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a better beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing improvements or enhancements to the start of something, such as a project, story, or relationship. Example: "After reflecting on our previous attempts, we believe that a better beginning will set the tone for the entire project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Those eager fans who surround him are struggling to recall a better beginning for Manchester City and no one is better placed to offer a perspective than Pablo Zabaleta, Aguero's captain for Argentina and now his team-mate at City.

Independent

The last three winters haven't been very good in this respect, but we are off to a better beginning this year, and at Thanksgiving all the runs at the ski basin were open.

The New York Times - Travel

Ryan Shorthouse, of the Social Market Foundation whose report A Better Beginning was scrutinised by ministers before the reforms were announced, admits that comparing early years settings across countries is "problematic".

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

At the ceremony, Mr. LaCorte plugged the A Better World Begins with Me Institute.

The New Yorker

The Brooklyn Hall of Fame is in a file cabinet at Mr. LaCorte's home in Brooklyn Hts., along with the records of several other organizations, including the A Better World Begins with Me Institute.

The New Yorker

From the Radisson Hotel downtown, Romney plans a speech he's titled "A Better America Begins Tonight".

Huffington Post

TRACY KIDDER: I hope it will be a new and better beginning.

The New Yorker

However he will need to make a much, much better beginning to the final tomorrow than he did against Nalbandián if he is to have any chance of beating Nadal, whose win over Ljubicic was his 59th consecutive victory on clay.

The Guardian - Sport

No doubt there will be times where you may stray, I know I have, but the beautiful thing is we all have the chance for a new and better beginning every day to go back to our raw and authentic path.

Huffington Post

"The end can be a new and often better beginning," promise the operatives of Alps, who hire themselves out to play-act the dead.

The Guardian - Film

After a string of bad knocks including a widely derided performance at last week's presidential debate, Jeb Bush vowed yesterday to "reset and get better" beginning with a major speech in Tampa, Florida, that will attempt a newly positive tone.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for progress or change, use the phrase "a better beginning" to highlight a positive shift from a previous state. It sets a tone of optimism and improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "a better beginning" without specifying what makes it better. Provide context to highlight the specific improvements or changes that justify the use of 'better'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a better beginning" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object. It denotes an improved or more favorable commencement compared to a previous one. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts, reflecting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a better beginning" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express an improved or more favorable start. According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and conveys hope and optimism. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media sources, as well as Formal & Business writing and Science, indicating its suitability for a range of communication styles. While not overly frequent, it adds a touch of positivity to the context in which it is used. To enhance clarity, be sure to contextualize what exactly makes the beginning 'better'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an improved start

Focuses on the enhancement aspect of the beginning.

a more promising start

Highlights the potential for success associated with the beginning.

a superior beginning

Emphasizes the higher quality of the beginning.

a more auspicious start

Suggests a beginning that is favorable and likely to lead to success.

a fortunate beginning

Indicates that the beginning is lucky or advantageous.

a more advantageous beginning

Highlights the benefits and advantages of the starting point.

a more favorable start

Emphasizes the positive and supportive nature of the beginning.

an enhanced start

Focuses on the enhanced or upgraded quality of the beginning.

a refined beginning

Highlights the polished or improved nature of the beginning.

a transformed start

Suggests a significant change or improvement in the beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a better beginning" to describe an improved start to a project, relationship, or situation. For example, "After careful planning, we achieved "a better beginning" than we anticipated".

What's the difference between "a better beginning" and "a good beginning"?

"A good beginning" simply indicates a positive start, while ""a better beginning"" implies an improvement over a previous start or a higher standard than just 'good'.

What are some alternatives to saying "a better beginning"?

You can use alternatives like "an improved start", "a more promising start", or "a superior beginning" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "a better beginning"?

While generally positive, using ""a better beginning"" is most effective when there's a clear contrast to a previous, less successful start or when emphasizing significant improvement.