a troubled beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a troubled beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that started with difficulties or challenges. Example: "Despite a troubled beginning, the project eventually turned out to be a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Prologue: a troubled beginning The play seems to have been quite hard to cast: Sproule, who was on holiday in Edinburgh during the audition period, was surprised that the theatre was prepared to pay for him to fly down and back to read for the casting director.

The Guardian

Heritance Kandalama, the resort, had evolved after a troubled beginning to gain international recognition for its social, ecological and environmental best practices.

Harvard Business Review

E Lizzy tried the turf to no avail after a troubled beginning but her last dirt race was key as it has produced four winners since.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If it is a success, it will send an encouraging signal to a region whose troubles began with a property bubble in Bangkok.

The Economist

This has proved a vain hope.The trouble began in November 2000, when a treasury minister asked a court to annul the sale to Eureko.

The Economist

In the other case in which a Trump Foundation payment seemed to help settle a legal dispute, the trouble began with a hole-in-one.

The Washington Post

Their model shows that when a particular part of the tropical Pacific cools while another warms in the tropical Atlantic, a cascade of trouble begins.

Science Magazine

When Washington died in 1799, an already troubled company began to unravel.

Forbes

This was mirrored by tweets mentioning the city jumping to over 1,000 an hour before trouble began, peaking at around 12,000 an hour after disturbances had started.

The Guardian

Trouble began a little over a year ago, at a neighborhood party that several students attended, and has flared up since.

The New York Times

"This is not a witch hunt". The trouble began at the end of a day of peaceful street protests, attended by about 30,000 people.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a troubled beginning", ensure the subsequent narrative explains or elaborates on the specific troubles encountered. This provides context and strengthens the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "a troubled beginning" as a standalone statement without elaborating on the specific issues that made the beginning troubled. Without context, the phrase becomes vague and loses its impact. Always follow it with details about the initial challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a troubled beginning" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes the initial phase of an event, project, or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a troubled beginning" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations that start with difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent application in News & Media. When employing this phrase, remember to provide context by detailing the specific troubles encountered. Alternatives like "a difficult start" or "a rocky start" can be used for similar effect. Be mindful of providing specifics when using the phrase so your audience better understands the gravity of the initial challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult start

Focuses on the difficulty of the initial phase.

a rocky start

Emphasizes the instability and challenges at the commencement.

an inauspicious start

Highlights the unfavorable or unlucky nature of the commencement.

a problematic outset

Indicates that the initial stage was marked by problems.

a shaky commencement

Implies instability or uncertainty at the beginning.

a challenging launch

Focuses on the difficulties encountered during the initial launch or introduction.

an arduous inception

Highlights the laboriousness and difficulty of the initial creation or start.

a thorny initiation

Implies that the beginning was filled with complex and difficult issues.

a checkered kickoff

Suggests a start marked by both good and bad elements, or inconsistencies.

a bumpy takeoff

Highlights the unsteady or uneven nature of the beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a troubled beginning" to describe situations or projects that faced difficulties from the outset. For example, "Despite a troubled beginning, the company eventually became a market leader."

What are some alternatives to "a troubled beginning"?

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

Is "a troubled beginning" formal or informal?

"A troubled beginning" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the piece.

What makes "a troubled beginning" different from "a bad beginning"?

"A troubled beginning" implies specific problems or difficulties that occurred at the start, whereas "a bad beginning" is a more general term indicating an undesirable or unfortunate start. "Troubled" suggests identifiable issues, while "bad" is a broader assessment.