a useful beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a useful beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an initial step or starting point that is beneficial or helpful in a particular context. Example: "This report provides a useful beginning for our discussion on improving team productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In this area, as in many others, the Dodd-Frank Bill is at most a useful beginning.

The New Yorker

A3 U.S. and North Korea Meet Diplomats from both countries met in New York for what the State Department called a "useful beginning" to "the dialogue process".

The New York Times

He noted the Acronym Institute,s paper as a useful beginning to start thinking about the matter (Comment: the AI is a UK-based NGO).

The Guardian

Diplomats from the United States and North Korea met in New York today for what the State Department called a useful beginning to a dialogue between the two countries.

The New York Times

A recent study by Qian et al. [ 13] provides a useful beginning towards a better understanding of the regulatory networks involved.

BMC Genomics

For women who are similar to the FSW in this study, the KAB model is likely a useful beginning (education, condom distribution, voluntary counselling and testing) but even more important are the 3 Es (education, empowerment and economic independence) and potentially of utmost importance, gender equality and the opportunity to develop equal and loving relationships.

BMC Women's Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I believe we had a very useful beginning to what must be an ongoing dialogue," he said.

The Guardian

(This becomes even more useful beginning in 2001).

Forbes

The FOMO, a word I despise but is nonetheless useful, began to kick in.

Vice

He says that models such as Blower's, although useful, "begin with the unrealistic assumption that we live in a world of unlimited resources".

Science Magazine

When the norms that made the old institutions useful began to unwind, and the leaders abandoned their posts, the Roosevelt Republic that had reigned for almost half a century came undone.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a useful beginning" when you want to convey that something is a helpful, but not necessarily complete, starting point. It implies that further work or development is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "a useful beginning" if the subject you're describing is intended to be a comprehensive solution or final product. This phrase implies that more steps are necessary, so choose language that accurately reflects the level of completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a useful beginning" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes something that provides a helpful starting point, suggesting that further development or action is expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a useful beginning" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a helpful initial step or starting point. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not overly common, its use is appropriate across various contexts, including news and scientific writing. It implies that further work is needed beyond the initial step. Alternative phrases include "a promising start" or "a helpful introduction". When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the level of completeness; it's best suited for situations where further development is expected. Remember not to overstate the completeness and follow the best practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a promising start

Emphasizes the potential for future success.

a helpful introduction

Highlights the introductory or preparatory nature of something.

a valuable starting point

Focuses on the worth or importance of the initial stage.

a constructive first step

Suggests that the initial action is positive and contributes to progress.

a sound foundation

Implies a strong and reliable basis for future development.

a practical approach to start

Highlights practicality and applicability in getting underway.

an advantageous kickoff

Focuses on the favorable or beneficial nature of the commencement.

a positive take-off

Highlights that the commencement is favorable and contributes to progress.

a fruitful initiation

Highlights that the commencement is productive and rewarding.

an effective primer

Focuses on the effectiveness of the introduction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a useful beginning" to describe an initial step that provides a helpful foundation for further action. For instance, "This study offers "a useful beginning" for understanding the effects of climate change."

What are some alternatives to saying "a useful beginning"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a promising start", "a helpful introduction", or "a valuable starting point".

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

"A good beginning" is more general, while "a useful beginning" emphasizes the practical benefit of the starting point. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the helpfulness or simply the positive nature of the start.

What does it mean to describe something as "a useful beginning"?

Describing something as "a useful beginning" means it's a helpful initial step, suggesting it provides a solid foundation but isn't necessarily a complete solution or the end of the process.