a shaky commencement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shaky commencement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the beginning of an event, project, or situation that is unstable or uncertain. Example: "The project had a shaky commencement, with several delays and miscommunications right from the start."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Shaky Start.

The New York Times - Science

Millwood had a shaky start.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a shaky start.

The Guardian

February 1975: A shaky start for the station.

The Guardian

The plan worked perfectly, despite a shaky start.

The Guardian - Sport

After a shaky start, he settled in.

The New York Times

The new coffee shop got off to a shaky start.

The New York Times

In reply, England also got off to a shaky start.

BBC

Levet had a shaky start to his winning round.

BBC

In 2012, Pujols had a shaky start.

Los Angeles Times

Sergei Bobrovsky overcame a shaky start to finish with 39 saves.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "an unsteady start" or "a wobbly beginning" for variety and to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "a shaky commencement" when referring to a graduation ceremony. While 'commencement' can mean a beginning, in modern usage, it's primarily associated with graduations. Use "a shaky start" or a similar phrase in that context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shaky commencement" functions as a noun phrase, where 'shaky' modifies 'commencement'. It describes the quality of the commencement, indicating instability or uncertainty at the beginning. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a shaky commencement" describes an unstable or uncertain beginning. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable, although less common than alternatives like "a shaky start". While 'commencement' often refers to graduation ceremonies, in this context, it simply denotes a beginning. If you're looking for alternatives, consider "an unstable start", "a wobbly beginning", or "a precarious beginning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember that while grammatically sound, "a shaky start" may be preferable given its broader applicability and is more common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An unstable start

Replaces 'shaky' with 'unstable' while retaining the core meaning of lacking stability.

A rocky start

Replaces "shaky" with "rocky", implying that the beginning is facing difficulties

A wobbly initiation

Substitutes 'shaky' with 'wobbly' and 'commencement' with 'initiation', implying a lack of steadiness in the initial phase.

A precarious beginning

Replaces 'shaky' with 'precarious', highlighting the uncertainty and risk associated with the start.

An uncertain kickoff

Uses 'uncertain' instead of 'shaky' and 'kickoff' as a synonym for 'commencement', suggesting doubt or unpredictability.

A faltering launch

Replaces 'shaky' with 'faltering' and 'commencement' with 'launch', indicating a weak or hesitant start.

A hesitant opening

Emphasizes the lack of confidence at the beginning, using 'hesitant' instead of 'shaky' and 'opening' instead of 'commencement'.

A tentative inception

Substitutes 'shaky' with 'tentative' and 'commencement' with 'inception', pointing to a cautious or experimental start.

A fragile start

Replaces 'shaky' with 'fragile', emphasizing the vulnerability of the initial phase.

A vulnerable opening

Uses 'vulnerable' in place of 'shaky', underlining the susceptibility to problems or failures at the beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "a shaky commencement" in a sentence?

You can use "a shaky commencement" to describe an event or project that starts in an unstable or uncertain way. For example: "The project had "a shaky commencement", with several delays and miscommunications right from the start."

What can I say instead of "a shaky commencement"?

Alternatives to "a shaky commencement" include "an unstable start", "a wobbly beginning", or "a precarious beginning", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "a shaky commencement" to describe a graduation ceremony that had problems?

While "commencement" can refer to a beginning, it's more commonly associated with graduation ceremonies. In that specific context, it would be clearer to say "the graduation ceremony had "a difficult start"" or "the graduation ceremony faced "some initial challenges"".

What's the difference between "a shaky commencement" and "a shaky start"?

"A shaky start" is a more general term referring to any uncertain beginning. "A shaky commencement" is less common, and while grammatically correct, might sound slightly formal or unusual in everyday conversation. Use "a shaky start" for broader applicability.