Your English writing platform
Discover LudwigThe phrase 'at square one' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which someone has to start over from the beginning after trying and failing to make progress. For example, "We were making good progress on the project until we hit a dead-end, so now we're back at square one."
Exact(60)
Every five minutes warning alarms sounded on the various monitors and it felt like we were back at square one.
"I was right back at square one.
I wasn't at square one, I was in arrears!
And if they don't, they will remain at square one.
"Now we're back at square one," said Ray Bragg, Fontana's redevelopment director.
"Instead, we're back at square one, with our entire future jeopardized".
That left residents in the surrounding neighborhoods -- Fish Bay, Williamsbridge and Eastchester -- back at square one.
The Olaf Mellberg deal is now off the table and we are back at square one.
Back at square one with black voters, Mr. Bush must begin again.
Seven years is a long time to be fighting to be back at square one.
Hopes were raised after the 2011 uprisings and now they are back at square one".
Write better and faster with AI suggestions while staying true to your unique style.
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com