a great start

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great start" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a good beginning or a strong beginning to something. Example: "The team's hard work and dedication resulted in a great start to the project, setting a positive tone for the rest of our work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A great start.

Independent

That's a great start.

The Guardian - Sport

The DS3 is a great start.

Independent

"Michael," frankly, is not a great start.

The New York Times - Arts

But 40 percent is a great start.

The New York Times

Daniel's video is a great start.

The New York Times

Anyway, this is definitely a great start.

The New Yorker

But it would be a great start.

The Economist

"We're off to a great start".

The New York Times

This show is a great start.

The New York Times

But it's a great start.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project's progress, follow up "a great start" with details about sustained effort and results to create a comprehensive narrative.

Common error

While "a great start" is positive, overuse can make writing repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "promising beginning" or "successful launch" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great start" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes the positive initiation of an activity, project, or event, setting a favorable tone for what follows.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great start" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express optimism about the commencement of an event or project. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various contexts, though it might be more suited for neutral or informal settings rather than highly formal or academic writing. While sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the phrase, varying your language with synonyms such as "promising beginning" or "successful launch" can enhance your writing style and avoid repetition. Remember to follow up with details about sustained effort to create a complete narrative of progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flying start

Implies a quick and energetic beginning.

a promising beginning

Emphasizes the potential for future success.

a successful launch

Indicates that the initial phase was well-executed.

a brilliant opening

Focuses on the impressive and remarkable nature of the start.

a solid kickoff

Highlights the initial momentum and stability.

an excellent head start

Highlights the advantage gained at the beginning.

a strong commencement

Focuses on the formal start or initiation of something.

a favorable outset

Emphasizes the positive conditions at the beginning.

an auspicious start

Suggests a beginning favored by good fortune or luck.

a noteworthy inception

Highlights that the starting point is deserving of special attention

FAQs

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

You can use "a great start" to describe the beginning of a project, a game, or any new endeavor. For example, "The project got "a great start" thanks to the team's dedication."

What are some alternatives to "a great start"?

You can use alternatives like "promising beginning", "solid kickoff", or "successful launch" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a great start" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "auspicious start" or "favorable outset".

How does "a great start" differ from "a good start"?

"A great start" implies a more significant or impressive beginning than "a good start". "Great" suggests excellence or superiority, while "good" simply means adequate or satisfactory.