a cumbersome start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cumbersome start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an initial phase or beginning that is awkward, difficult, or unwieldy. Example: "The project faced a cumbersome start due to unforeseen technical issues that delayed progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After a cumbersome start, he needs about 30 meters to gain his rhythm.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Meanwhile the counting rules being used (which date from the earlier Start-1 treaty) will lapse in December 2009.Neither side wants to continue all the cumbersome Start-1 rules.

The Economist

The game featured a fast Tennessee start (a 21-0 first-quarter leand and a cumbersome, error-prone St . Louisstart.

The New York Times - Sports

First, companies don't have to start a cumbersome headhunting process.

TechCrunch

Starting a business in Iran is a cumbersome activity.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

In the second half, though, it was a fast St . Louisstart (a 21-3 second-half edge) and a cumbersome, error-prone Tennessee finish.

The New York Times - Sports

It was started in 1880 when photography was still a cumbersome affair.

Forbes

According to the reports of women and practitioners, the barriers to registering for Healthy Start described in the previous sections were exacerbated by a cumbersome application process.

BMC Public Health

Why create a cumbersome bureaucracy?

The New York Times

It was a cumbersome and costly process.

The New York Times

The Department of Homeland Security is a cumbersome bureaucratic monster.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cumbersome start" to describe a beginning phase marked by difficulties, complexities, or inefficiencies. It's especially effective when highlighting obstacles that need to be overcome early on.

Common error

Avoid using "a cumbersome start" when you simply mean "a busy start" or "a quick start". "Cumbersome" specifically implies something is awkward or unwieldy, not just active or fast-paced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cumbersome start" functions as a noun phrase, where "cumbersome" modifies the noun "start". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase effectively describes an initial phase characterized by difficulty or awkwardness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cumbersome start" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a difficult or awkward beginning. While it's not highly frequent, as noted by Ludwig, its usage spans across different contexts, including news and media and scientific articles. The phrase effectively conveys that the initial phase of something was not smooth and had some challenges. Alternative phrases include "a difficult beginning" or "a problematic commencement". Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the challenges and complexities of the initial phase, and be aware that "cumbersome" implies awkwardness or inefficiency, not just activity or speed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a burdened start

Directly replaces "cumbersome" with "burdened", maintaining a similar meaning of being weighed down.

a difficult beginning

Replaces "cumbersome" with a more general adjective indicating difficulty.

a rocky takeoff

Metaphorically compares the start to a plane's takeoff, implying instability.

a problematic commencement

Substitutes both words with synonyms that suggest issues from the very beginning.

a labored launch

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in initiating something.

a clunky inception

Emphasizes the awkwardness or lack of smoothness in the start.

a stuttering start

Implies an inconsistent and halting beginning.

a slow initiation

Highlights the gradual and perhaps delayed nature of the beginning.

a heavy handed opening

Suggests a start that was forceful but perhaps lacking finesse.

an inauspicious kickoff

Suggests that the start might have been unlucky or ill-fated.

FAQs

How can I use "a cumbersome start" in a sentence?

You can use "a cumbersome start" to describe the difficult initial phase of a project, process, or even a personal endeavor. For example: "The new software implementation had "a cumbersome start" due to compatibility issues."

What's a good alternative to "a cumbersome start"?

Alternatives include "a difficult beginning", "a problematic commencement", or "a clunky inception", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cumbersome beginning" or "cumbersome start"?

Both are acceptable, but "start" often implies a more specific point in time, while "beginning" can refer to a more extended initial period. Choose the word that best fits the context.

What does "cumbersome" really mean?

"Cumbersome" means awkward, difficult to handle, or unwieldy. It suggests that something is complicated or inefficient, making it hard to deal with.