at initial stages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at initial stages" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the early phases of a process or development. Example: "At initial stages, we focused on gathering data and understanding the market needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The security cooperation is "developing" but is still "at initial stages," said Miri Eisin, a spokeswoman for Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister.

The New York Times

Thus the heart of Fhod3 −/− embryos initiates spontaneous contraction that continues only at initial stages of cardiac development.

Biology Open

The former is evident at initial stages, whereas the latter is apparent toward the end.

CIRP Annals

Lipid and pigment oxidation levels were higher in meat from Landrace pigs at initial stages of the study.

Meat Science

The results indicated that the coated specimens are 18 times more oxidation resistant, at initial stages, compared to uncoated specimens.

Surface and Coatings Technology

As cure progressed, the phenoxy component was first expelled out of the epoxy spheres at initial stages of cure and a phase-separated morphology was set.

Polymer

This paper discusses the specific roles that science has at initial stages of development, pointing to its contributions for the countries' absorptive capability.

Research Policy

Prior channels for receiving a complaint check the reliability and gauge the gravity of a given charge and, in many cases, supply a forum of mediation and resolution at initial stages in the process of articulation.

Columbia University

In this work, a one step batch foaming setup was totally redesigned to stabilize foam structure at initial stages of cell forming during and after depressurization as a novel idea.

The Journal of Supercritical Fluids

In the case of rare-earth and two charged 3d-metal ions it was shown that heteronuclear hydroxo complexes can be formed by interaction of these metal ions at initial stages of their cohydrolysis under certain conditions.

Catalysis Today

Values for RUE changed as cumulative intercepted PAR (IPAR) increased; at initial stages of development RUE was 1.25 ± 0.09 g MJ IPAR−1, but if cumulative IPAR was higher than 107.5 ± 10.4 MJ IPAR m−2, RUE was 2.68 ± 0.15 g MJ IPAR−1.

European Journal of Agronomy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at initial stages" to specifically refer to the early phases of a process, project, or development where fundamental aspects are being established or initial actions are being taken.

Common error

Avoid using "at initial stages" when describing later phases of a process. Ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to the beginning, not the end or advanced parts of a development.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at initial stages" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify when something occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used. It's employed to denote the starting point or early phases of an event, process, or development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

88%

News & Media

5%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at initial stages" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that specifies the early phases of a process or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's well-regarded and applicable in various writing contexts. Analysis of examples shows its prevalence in scientific and academic writing, with some presence in news and media. While versatile, its formality makes it most appropriate for professional, analytical, or technical discourse. Alternatives such as "in the beginning" or "at the outset" can offer similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at an early stage

Similar in meaning, but without emphasizing a plural form.

in the early phase

Highlights a specific period in the development, focusing on its advancement.

at the outset

Emphasizes the start or commencement of something, often suggesting a formal or planned beginning.

at the start

A more straightforward and general way of referring to the beginning.

in the preliminary phase

Highlights the preparatory nature of the early stages, often used in projects or investigations.

in the beginning

Focuses on the very start of something, implying a more general sense of commencement.

in the nascent stages

Implies that something is just beginning to develop and is still in a formative phase.

in its infancy

Implies a very early stage of development, often suggesting immaturity or potential.

at the dawn

Suggests the very beginning, hinting at the start of a new era or development.

to begin with

Emphasizes a sequence, indicating what happens first.

FAQs

How can I use "at initial stages" in a sentence?

You can use "at initial stages" to describe the beginning phase of a process, for example: "At initial stages, the project focused on gathering data and defining the scope."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "at initial stages"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "in the early phase", "at the outset", or "in the beginning" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in initial stages" instead of "at initial stages"?

While "in initial stages" might be understood, "at initial stages" is the more common and grammatically preferred phrasing.

What is the difference between "at initial stages" and "in the initial stage"?

"At initial stages" refers to multiple early phases, while "in the initial stage" refers to a single, specific beginning phase. The choice depends on whether you are referring to a broader period or a specific point.