at birth

USAGE SUMMARY

"at birth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's age or to describe the beginning of a process. For example: "The baby's development is tracked at birth and monitored until age 5."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SWITCHED AT BIRTH 9 p.m. on Freeform.

The New York Times - Arts

"At birth," he says.

The New York Times

vaccine at birth.

The New York Times - Health

Not at birth.

The New York Times

(Mann was adopted at birth).

The New Yorker

Aimed at birth to 13kg.

Independent

Her twin died at birth.

The New Yorker

Cows swapped at birth?

The Guardian - Opinion

Most people there are doomed at birth".

Independent

The minister says it begins at birth.

The New York Times

Some will have been infected at birth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at birth", ensure it clearly indicates the starting point or origin of a characteristic, condition, or process. For example, "Genetic predispositions evident "at birth" can influence later health outcomes."

Common error

Avoid using "at birth" when "since birth" or "from birth" is more appropriate to indicate a continuous state or condition. "Since birth" implies a duration, while "at birth" refers to a specific moment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at birth" primarily functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying verbs or adjectives to specify the time or point of origin. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in indicating when something begins or is first observed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at birth" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote the beginning or origin of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its structure adheres to standard English grammar and serves to specify a point in time. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it indicates the initial state or moment of a condition or characteristic. When writing, use "at birth" to precisely define the start of a phenomenon, while being mindful of related phrases like "since birth" for indicating duration. This phrase is acceptable across various formality levels.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from the moment of birth

Adds emphasis to the specific point in time when birth occurs.

at the time of delivery

More formal way of saying when the baby is delivered.

at the start of life

Highlights the beginning of existence.

upon delivery

Focuses on the action of being born, rather than the time.

from infancy

Emphasizes the early stage of life immediately following birth.

in early life

Broadens the timeframe to include the initial period after birth.

from day one

An idiomatic expression indicating the start of something.

congenitally

Refers to a condition present from birth, often related to medical contexts.

from the womb

Highlights the origin before the birth.

originally

Highlights the starting point of someone's identity.

FAQs

How can I use "at birth" in a sentence?

You can use "at birth" to specify when a characteristic, condition, or event is first observed or determined. For example, "The baby weighed 7 pounds "at birth"" or "She was diagnosed with a rare condition "at birth"".

What are some alternatives to saying "at birth"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "upon delivery", "from infancy", or "from the moment of birth".

Is it correct to say "since birth" instead of "at birth"?

The choice between "since birth" and "at birth" depends on the intended meaning. "At birth" refers to a specific point in time, while "since birth" indicates a duration. For example, "She has had this condition "since birth"" implies the condition has been present continuously, while "It was noted "at birth"" indicates when it was first observed.

What does it mean when something is described as congenital?

The term "congenital" refers to a condition that is present "at birth", regardless of its cause. It can be used to describe various physical or medical conditions.