at inception

USAGE SUMMARY

"at inception" is a commonly used English phrase.
You can use it to refer to the start of something, such as a project, business, or relationship. For example, "We had lofty goals for the project at its inception."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Initial pressure drop at inception of restart process, Pa.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

But its general purpose and reason for existence is ultimately defined by us at inception.

TechCrunch

The odds of success at inception make nearly everyone appear foolish.

TechCrunch

The stress growth at inception and stress decay after cessation of shear flow is also examined.

Polymer

In the past 18 months alone, the program has grown from eight students at inception to over 60.

International Journal of STEM Education

Built-in security: CCN signs the binding between the content's name and the content itself at inception.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Early-stage and seed funds are the new hotness, however, as venture firms try to identify winning startups at inception.

TechCrunch

The statistical simulation has two different statistical delays, one at inception and the other due to the tortuous characteristics of the leader channel.

Journal of Electrostatics

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was revolutionary at inception and has a well-deserved storied past that parallels the evolution of the American economy.

Forbes

At inception vapor is mainly generated near the leading edge of the blade, and spreads on the suction side of the impeller at higher cavitation levels.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Time and time again, companies at inception are laughed at for being silly or for only solving the needs of a small, usually well-­to-­do population.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "at inception" with a specific detail or observation to provide context and clarity. For example, "The project, at inception, faced several logistical challenges."

Common error

Avoid using "at inception" when you're referring to something learned or realized later. "At inception" focuses on the initial state, not subsequent reflections or revisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at inception" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes the very beginning or initial stage of an event, project, or entity. For example, "The project, at inception, faced challenges."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

6%

News & Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at inception" is a prepositional phrase used to specify the beginning or initial stage of something. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, "at inception" is valuable for setting temporal context and highlighting initial conditions. While formal, it's essential to use it accurately, distinguishing it from retrospective viewpoints. Consider similar phrases like "at the beginning" for simpler alternatives, and avoid using "at inception" when discussing later realizations. With its widespread use and distinct purpose, mastering the use of "at inception" can improve your writing's clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the start

This is a more concise and direct way of expressing the same idea.

at the beginning

This alternative uses simpler language to convey the same meaning of starting point.

when it began

A straightforward way to describe the starting time of an event or entity.

in the initial phase

This alternative emphasizes the early stage of development or existence.

from the outset

This alternative suggests a focus on what was evident or planned from the start.

at its origin

This focuses on the point where something began to exist.

in its early stages

This emphasizes the immaturity or developmental aspect of the subject.

at commencement

This alternative is more formal and highlights the act of beginning something.

at the time of creation

This emphasizes the moment something was brought into existence.

in its infancy

This suggests that the subject is new and still developing.

FAQs

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

You can use "at inception" to describe the state or conditions of something at its beginning. For example, "The company, "at inception", was bootstrapped with minimal funding."

What phrases are similar to "at inception"?

Similar phrases include "at the beginning", "from the outset", and "in the initial phase". These all refer to the starting point of something.

Is "at inception" formal or informal?

"At inception" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, business, and professional contexts. Simpler alternatives may be preferred in informal settings.

What is the difference between "at inception" and "in retrospect"?

"At inception" refers to the beginning of something, while "in retrospect" refers to looking back on something after it has occurred. They represent opposite temporal perspectives.