a wrong start

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wrong start" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever something has begun poorly, or if you are talking about a situation that may not have a successful outcome. For example: "He got off to a wrong start, but he worked hard and eventually achieved success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The task force that New York has created is off to a wrong start," he said.

The New York Times

Through no fault of Mr. Hamm's, some judges assigned a wrong start value (maximum score possible) for a South Korean gymnast's routine on the parallel bars.

The New York Times

In a recent re-analysis of 143 annotated prokaryotic genomes, Nielsen and Krogh [ 32] observed that in some genomes up to 60% of the genes may have been annotated with a wrong start codon, especially in GC-rich genomes.

BMC Genomics

A comparative analysis performed considering RNA-seq coverage, the position of the putative RBS and the structure of the putative protein coding genes identified using the four software mentioned above, led to the identification of 144 genes with a wrong start codon prediction in our previous annotation (Additional file 11: Table S7).

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The reported QM/MM results in ref. [ 18] did not consider this isomerisation and as a result may not reflect the correct mechanism of the chemical reaction as they may have used a wrong starting structure of the chemical process.

Chemistry - A European Journal

I had quite the wrong start for a future food-obsessive: I absolutely loathed eating as a child.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And if you do have to point out something wrong, start with a compliment, move on to the problem, then end on a high note.

The New York Times

Despite McDonnell's intelligence, this choice would risk Corbyn getting off to precisely the wrong start with a sceptical parliamentary Labour party (PLP).

The Guardian

But there are factors you, as a manager, can control — even if you've gotten off to the wrong start.

BBC

An earlier version of this gave the wrong start date for the project.

The New York Times

• Monday's column gave the wrong start date for the Houston Lone Star Regional.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wrong start" to describe situations where initial actions or conditions are flawed, leading to potential difficulties or failure later on. It's effective for setting a tone of concern or highlighting the need for corrective measures.

Common error

Avoid using "a wrong start" when a situation simply begins differently than expected, without necessarily indicating a negative trajectory. Reserve it for instances where the initial issues genuinely jeopardize the overall outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wrong start" functions as a noun phrase that often acts as a subject complement or object. It describes the quality or nature of the beginning of an event, project, or endeavor. Ludwig provides examples showing that it is a common way to express the initial stage being problematic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wrong start" is a noun phrase used to describe a problematic or unfavorable beginning. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, typically conveying a tone of concern or highlighting the need for corrective action. It’s commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, making it suitable for various registers. While not as common as other similar phrases, such as "a bad start", "a wrong start" effectively signals potential difficulties stemming from initial flaws.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a poor start

Similar to "bad beginning", but perhaps slightly less strong.

a bad beginning

Replaces "wrong" with "bad", a more general term for an unfavorable start.

an unfortunate start

Emphasizes the element of bad luck or misfortune in the beginning.

a difficult start

Focuses on the challenges or obstacles encountered at the beginning.

an inauspicious beginning

Replaces "wrong" with "inauspicious", emphasizing a bad omen or ill fortune.

a troubled start

Suggests that the start was marked by problems or difficulties.

an incorrect start

Focuses on the factual inaccuracy or impropriety of the initial steps.

a flawed beginning

Highlights that the start had inherent problems or defects.

a mistaken beginning

Suggests that the start was based on an error or misunderstanding.

a shaky start

Implies instability or uncertainty in the beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wrong start" to describe an inauspicious beginning, such as: "The project got off to "a wrong start" due to lack of funding." You can also describe the start as "an inauspicious beginning" or "a bad beginning".

What is a more formal alternative to "a wrong start"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "an inauspicious beginning" or "a flawed beginning". These options provide a more sophisticated way to convey the idea of an unfavorable beginning.

Is it always negative to have "a wrong start"?

Yes, the phrase "a wrong start" inherently carries a negative connotation. It implies that the initial phase of something was problematic and may negatively impact the subsequent stages or the final result. The term "an unfortunate start" captures the same meaning.

What's the difference between "a wrong start" and "a false start"?

While both phrases suggest an issue at the beginning, "a wrong start" implies that something was fundamentally flawed from the beginning, whereas "a false start" typically refers to prematurely beginning something, often in a competitive context, which then needs to be restarted. A "mistaken beginning" can be another expression.