a difficult beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

"a difficult beginning" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It refers to a challenging or problematic start to something, such as a project, journey, or relationship. Example: Despite the team's determination, they still faced a difficult beginning in their quest to win the championship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But it was one with a difficult beginning.

The Guardian

A difficult beginning to his Spanish career has been put behind him in emphatic fashion.

The Guardian - Sport

He started upon a serious career in journalism and, after a difficult beginning, came to be classed among the foremost political writers of his time.

Britannica

The two-year project is now in its closing stages, with the research all carried out, after a difficult beginning in which Eltiti struggled to find enough "sensitives".

The Guardian - Tech

Shares fell more than 12% on Thursday to their lowest level since 1992 after Switzerland's second-largest bank signalled a difficult beginning to the year.

The Guardian - Business

This paper show that after a difficult beginning the system has improved; its achievements show that it could become a model for other cities, as long as its errors are avoided.

Research in Transportation Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

You solve it with a very difficult beginning but there is a happy end.

Forbes

You see, an undiagnosed tongue-tie and a traumatic birth played their parts in what was a very difficult beginning to our breastfeeding journey.

Huffington Post

That is not the end of the discussion, but a very difficult beginning.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Donovan walked a difficult line, beginning in a gentle tone by referring to "the day of these terrible killings".

The New York Times

Their friendship also marks a change in the way viewers see Saga, from a difficult, cold beginning to a gradual warming, until her honesty and lack of pretension become two of the most admirable things abut her.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a difficult beginning", ensure the context clearly explains what made the beginning challenging. Be specific about the obstacles or problems encountered.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult beginning" without providing any details about the specific challenges faced. This can leave the reader confused or wondering what exactly was difficult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult beginning" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It describes the initial phase of an event or process characterized by challenges or adversity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult beginning" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a challenging initial phase. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedias, but less common in academia or business contexts. Alternatives include "a rocky start" or "an inauspicious start". When using the phrase, provide specific details about the challenges to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rocky start

Implies instability and potential problems early on.

an inauspicious start

Suggests a start that doesn't bode well for the future.

a challenging commencement

More formal; emphasizes the demanding nature of the beginning.

a troubled launch

Highlights problems during the initial phase of something.

a bumpy initiation

Suggests a series of uneven or jarring experiences at the start.

a problematic inception

Formal and emphasizes the origin being flawed.

a testing initial phase

Highlights the difficult nature of the starting period.

a trying outset

Emphasizes the stressful nature of the beginning.

a laborious kickoff

Indicates that the start required significant effort.

a demanding genesis

Focuses on the challenging origins or creation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a difficult beginning" to describe the initial phase of a project, relationship, or any endeavor that faced challenges from the start. For example, "The project had a difficult beginning due to unforeseen technical issues".

What are some alternatives to "a difficult beginning"?

You can use alternatives like "a rocky start", "an inauspicious start", or "a challenging commencement" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a difficult beginning" or "a hard beginning"?

Both "a difficult beginning" and "a hard beginning" are grammatically correct, but "a difficult beginning" is generally preferred in more formal contexts. "Hard" can sometimes imply physical effort, while "difficult" typically refers to challenges or problems.

What does it mean to say something had "a difficult beginning"?

It means that the initial stages of something were marked by challenges, obstacles, or problems that made progress or success harder to achieve.