as a beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a beginning" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when introducing something new or as a starting point for a discussion. For example: "As a beginning to our discussion on the budget, here's an overview of what we have spent so far."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As a beginning writer, do I need a word processor?

The New Yorker

It is also as much an endpoint as a beginning.

The New York Times - Arts

But Auster often uses her as a beginning.

The Guardian - Books

We put it out here not as an end but as a beginning.

The New York Times

Still, the Americans and the Israelis regarded Mr. Arafat's gesture as a beginning.

The New York Times

In Leviathan he writes: "Iris had become my happy ending". But Auster often uses her as a beginning.

The Guardian - Books

But when we mentioned a potential Israeli apology for 1948, he brightened: "Yes, an apology is important, as a beginning.

The New York Times

He said he envisioned this as a beginning step in "Broadway eventually being choked out of existence," closed to cars.

The New York Times

However, the most successful leaders don't perceive obstacles as an end point, but as a beginning.

Forbes

Most BPM imagines a process as a beginning state, and ending state, and a set of steps in between.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Colombia sees the assembly as a beginning, rather than an end.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a beginning" to signal the commencement of a process, discussion, or activity. This helps to set expectations for what follows and provide context for subsequent steps.

Common error

Avoid using "as a beginning" when "in the beginning" is more appropriate. "As a beginning" suggests a starting point for a specific process or action, while "in the beginning" refers to the initial state or origin of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a beginning" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the initiation or commencement of an action, process, or state. Ludwig's examples showcase its role in setting the stage or introducing a starting point.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

22%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a beginning" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating the commencement of an action or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across diverse contexts, although its usage leans towards news, media, and science-related content. While alternatives like "as a starting point" and "to start with" offer similar meanings, it's crucial to distinguish it from "in the beginning", which refers to an initial state rather than an ongoing process. Remember to employ "as a beginning" to clearly signal the commencement of a process or discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a starting point

Highlights the role of the action as a basis for further development.

as an initial step

Emphasizes the order of actions, presenting the action as the first in a sequence.

to begin with

A simple and straightforward way to indicate the start of something.

to start with

A more informal and direct way to introduce a starting point.

at the outset

Implies a formal commencement or initiation.

as an introduction

Frames the action as a preliminary presentation or overview.

for starters

A casual way to indicate the first in a series of actions or items.

in its early stages

Focuses on the development phase of something that has just started.

as a foundation

Emphasizes that the action serves as a fundamental base.

in the preliminary phase

Highlights that the action is part of an early, experimental stage.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a beginning" to introduce the first step in a series of actions or the initial stage of a project. For example, "As a beginning, let's review the project goals."

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

Instead of "as a beginning", you could use alternatives like "as a starting point", "to start with", or "initially" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "as a beginning" or "in the beginning"?

"As a beginning" and "in the beginning" serve different purposes. "As a beginning" is used to introduce a starting point for a specific action or process, while "in the beginning" typically refers to the initial state or origin of something.

Can "as a beginning" be used interchangeably with "at the beginning"?

While similar, "at the beginning" usually refers to a point in time, whereas "as a beginning" implies a more active role in initiating something. You might say, "At the beginning of the meeting...", but "As a beginning, we need to define our objectives."