at its inception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its inception" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the beginning of something, either in a literal or figurative sense. For example, "The company has been successful since its inception."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At its inception it was often smart, anarchic and celebratory.

The Guardian

Like the Internet at its inception, it is the province of universities and technology centers.

The New York Times - Arts

At its inception, it was built with global markets in mind.

Forbes

In fact, it comprised only 11 at its inception and wasn't expanded to 30 until 1928.

Forbes

Tribunal president Theodor Meron described it as "little more than an ideal" at its inception in 1993.

SEP

Mr Knuckles was present at its inception.

The Economist

Unger, like Richards, joined Ofcom at its inception in 2003.

The Guardian

He was a member of Common Cause at its inception.

The New York Times

At its inception, however, Cosby sought to create the opposite.

The Guardian

A plan should incorporate flexibility and options at its inception.

Harvard Business Review

Silver says a movie is either a success or a failure at its inception.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at its inception" to clearly indicate the initial state or conditions of a project, organization, or idea. It's particularly effective when contrasting the initial state with its current form or function.

Common error

Avoid using "at its inception" when you mean "since its inception". The former refers to a specific point in time (the beginning), while the latter implies a continuous period from the beginning until now.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its inception" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase to specify when something began or originated. Ludwig's examples show its common usage in academic, news, and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

26%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at its inception" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify the beginning or origin of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, remember to clearly define what is being referred to and consider whether "since its inception" might be more appropriate if you're discussing a continuous period. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "at its inception" into your writing to provide valuable historical context and insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since its origination

Emphasizes the origin and implies a continuous timeline from that point.

in its initial phase

Highlights the beginning as a distinct period of development.

in its early stages

Focuses on the developmental period, implying potential for change.

from the outset

Highlights the planning or preparation stage before the actual start.

from the beginning

A more general term emphasizing the start point without specific details.

in the beginning

A common and simple way to state the commencement of something.

when it began

A simple alternative focusing on the commencement of an action or state.

at the dawn of

More metaphorical, suggesting the very first appearance or start of something.

at the start

A more casual way to indicate the beginning point of something.

initially

Adverb emphasizing the original state or condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "at its inception" to describe the initial state or conditions of something. For example, "At its inception, the company was a small startup but has since grown into a large corporation."

What phrases are similar to "at its inception"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in its early stages", "from the beginning", or "since its origination", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "at its inception" and "since its inception"?

Yes, "at its inception" refers to a single point in time (the beginning), while "since its inception" implies a period from the beginning up to the present. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the timeframe you're discussing.

What's the difference between "at its inception" and "initially"?

"At its inception" is a phrase, while "initially" is an adverb. The phrase typically provides more context and is often used to set the stage for a comparison or explanation.