a sad start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sad start" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an unfortunate or disappointing beginning to a situation, event, or story. Example: "The team's performance in the first half of the game was a sad start to what was expected to be a thrilling match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It's a sad start to what is billed as a new era in politics," said Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, senior Republican on the finance committee.

The New York Times

January 2011 got off to a sad start with the news that Dick King-Smithe the author of animal books – whose The Sheep-Pig was made into the film Babe – had died at the age of 86.

The Guardian

2014 got off to a sad start with the news of the death of James Avery, best known for his role as Uncle Phil on the TV show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Classes III and IV proteins contain two additional domains, a steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-related lipid transfer (START) domain hypothesized to bind sterols and lipids and a SAD (START-associated domain) with unknown functions [ 6].

BMC Plant Biology

It's a sad story from start to finish, but at least the bad guy didn't get away.

TechCrunch

HD-Zip III and IV members are, on average, the largest proteins; they exhibit a START (STeroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein-related lipid Transfer) and SAD (START adjacent) domains towards the C-terminus in relation to the HD-Zip domain [ 9], plus a MEKHLA (called after the goddess of lightning, water and rain) domain in subfamily III proteins [ 12].

BMC Plant Biology

When you're feeling sad, start smiling.

WikiHow

When you are feeling sad, start smiling.

WikiHow

It's a happy conclusion to what started as a sad story, when staffers of the sites were suddenly told on April 26th that they'd soon be fired.

TechCrunch

They also usually take a long time in the bathroom, and have watery eyes and a stuffy nose when they come out, and they may suddenly be in a sad mood and start coughing a lot.

WikiHow

The Surface RT, on the other hand, defines the bottom end of the Win8 platform and, as every country singer knows, you don't start out your set with a sad song… you start out with a barn burner.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sad start" to succinctly describe situations where the beginning is marked by misfortune, disappointment, or sorrow. This phrase is effective in news reports, narrative writing, and personal reflections to set a somber tone.

Common error

Avoid using "a sad start" in situations where the level of sorrow is mild or trivial. Reserve this phrase for scenarios with genuine disappointment or misfortune to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sad start" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "sad" modifies the noun "start". It typically acts as a subject complement or an appositive, describing the nature of a beginning. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sad start" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to characterize an inauspicious or disheartening commencement. While not exceedingly common, with only a few examples available, its usage spans across news media, scientific contexts, and general knowledge platforms. To maximize its impact, reserve "a sad start" for situations where genuine disappointment or misfortune is present, and consider alternative phrases like "an unfortunate beginning" or "a disappointing commencement" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unfortunate beginning

Emphasizes the negative aspect of the commencement.

a disappointing commencement

Highlights the failure to meet expectations at the beginning.

a regrettable inception

Focuses on the sorrow associated with the start.

an inauspicious dawn

Uses metaphorical language to describe a bad beginning.

a bleak opening

Emphasizes the lack of hope or promise at the start.

a sorrowful kickoff

Similar to sad start, but uses kickoff emphasizing action or event.

a depressing launch

Focuses on the mood or emotional impact of the beginning.

an upsetting onset

Highlights the disturbing or distressing nature of the start.

a miserable kick-off

Highlights the unhappiness or suffering at the start of an event.

a cheerless start

Emphasizes the absence of joy or optimism at the beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sad start" to describe an unfortunate or disappointing beginning to a situation or event. For instance, "The team's loss was "a sad start" to their season".

What are some alternatives to "a sad start"?

Alternatives include "an unfortunate beginning", "a disappointing commencement", or "a regrettable inception", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a sad start"?

While grammatically correct, "a sad start" is best used when the beginning is genuinely marked by disappointment or misfortune. Avoid using it for trivial or mildly upsetting situations.

What kind of tone does "a sad start" convey?

"A sad start" conveys a somber and unfortunate tone, indicating that the initial phase of something is characterized by sorrow, disappointment, or negative circumstances.