a good beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

'a good beginning' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a starting point for something. For example: "He made a good beginning on his project, so he was confident it would be finished on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's a good beginning.

The New York Times

It was a good beginning.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it's a good beginning.

The New York Times

"It is a good beginning, and we should welcome a good beginning," Mr. Kerry said.

The New York Times

It was not a good beginning.

The Guardian

A good beginning is to have sisters.

The Guardian - Film

And this is a good beginning".

The Guardian

"So that was a good beginning".

The New Yorker

In sum, we have made a good beginning.

The New York Times

Noah says, "That was good, though, a good beginning".

The New York Times - Magazine

It was, Sergey, a good beginning from my perspective".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good beginning" to express optimism and encouragement when something is in its early stages. For example, when providing feedback on someone's initial efforts.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "a good beginning" if you want to offer more specific feedback. Instead, describe specifically what made the start positive to provide greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good beginning" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes the initial stage of an activity or process, emphasizing its positive qualities. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and suitable for use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good beginning" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a positive commencement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows its incorporation into different contexts, ranging from News & Media to Formal & Business settings. When writing, remember that while a good beginning is important, it doesn't guarantee success, and there are diverse alternatives like "a promising start" or "a strong foundation" that can offer nuanced expression. It is important to not overuse this phrase for more specific advice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a promising start

Focuses on the potential for future success.

a strong foundation

Emphasizes the robustness and stability of the initial stage.

an auspicious start

Highlights the favorable and fortunate nature of the commencement.

a positive commencement

Stresses the optimistic and favorable nature of the start.

a successful launch

Emphasizes the achievement and effectiveness of the initial undertaking.

a flying start

Implies a fast and impressive beginning.

a solid kickoff

Highlights the firmness and effectiveness of the initial action.

a decent start

Indicates a satisfactory but not necessarily outstanding beginning.

a reasonable beginning

Suggests a start that is acceptable and logical.

a fair start

Indicates a beginning that is equitable and just.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good beginning" to describe a positive start to a project, relationship, or any endeavor. For example, "The project had "a good beginning" due to careful planning".

What are some alternatives to "a good beginning"?

You can use alternatives like "a promising start", "a strong foundation", or "an auspicious start" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a good beginning" or "a good start"?

Both "a good beginning" and "a good start" are correct and often interchangeable. "A good start" is slightly more common, but "a good beginning" can add a touch more formality or emphasis to the initial phase.

Can "a good beginning" guarantee a successful outcome?

While "a good beginning" is beneficial, it doesn't guarantee success. Sustained effort and adaptation are necessary to achieve the desired outcome.