an excellent start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an excellent start" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a positive beginning to a project, task, or situation. Example: "The initial feedback from the team indicates that we have made an excellent start on the new marketing campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's an excellent start".

The New York Times

I think it's an excellent start.

The New Yorker

What an excellent start to this innings.

The Guardian - Sport

Removing Ms. Paulose was an excellent start.

The New York Times

"I thought it was an excellent start".

The New York Times - Sports

He's off to an excellent start.

The Washington Post

Weird Council was an excellent start.

The Guardian - Books

The cold spreads make an excellent start to a meal.

The New York Times

You? Botta: They must have an excellent start.

The New York Times

In all, this project is off to an excellent start.

Cornell University

The publication of the NPO data is an excellent start.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an excellent start", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is starting well. Providing specific details about the positive aspects strengthens the statement.

Common error

While "an excellent start" is a positive expression, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "promising beginning" or "strong kickoff" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excellent start" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It characterizes the quality of an initial phase or action. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in diverse contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness and versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an excellent start" is a versatile and widely used expression that conveys positive approval of an initial phase or action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and business settings. While the phrase is common, remember to use it thoughtfully and vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Alternatives include "a promising beginning" or "a strong kickoff". Overall, using "an excellent start" is a great way to express optimism and approval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a promising beginning

Focuses on the potential for future success, rather than just the current good start.

a strong head start

Emphasizes the advantage gained from the positive beginning.

a flying start

Emphasizes speed and dynamism in the beginning.

a brilliant opening

Highlights the intelligence and skill involved in the beginning.

a great kickoff

More informal and emphasizes the energetic initiation of something.

a winning introduction

Focuses on the positive impression created at the beginning, implying likely success.

a superb initiation

More formal and highlights the quality of the initial actions.

a favorable outset

More understated, simply suggesting that the circumstances at the beginning are positive.

a remarkable commencement

Very formal, emphasizing the official beginning and its noteworthiness.

an auspicious dawn

A more metaphorical and literary alternative, implying good fortune.

FAQs

How can I use "an excellent start" in a sentence?

You can use "an excellent start" to describe the beginning of a project, game, season, or any endeavor that has commenced positively. For instance, "The team got "an excellent start" to the season with three consecutive wins".

What are some alternatives to saying "an excellent start"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a promising beginning", "a strong kickoff", or "a flying start" as alternatives to "an excellent start".

Is it okay to use "an excellent start" in formal writing?

Yes, "an excellent start" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its clarity and positive connotation make it appropriate for various contexts.

What makes "an excellent start" different from "a good start"?

"An excellent start" implies a higher degree of success and promise compared to "a good start". "Excellent" suggests that the beginning was particularly impressive or noteworthy, whereas "good" is more general.