at the beginning of the study

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the beginning of the study" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the initial phase or starting point of a research study or academic investigation. Example: "At the beginning of the study, we established the research questions and objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost all participants were running less than at the beginning of the study.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At the beginning of the study, the women were asked to eat doughnuts.

The New York Times

The students scored near zero on these kinds of problems at the beginning of the study.

The New York Times - Science

At the beginning of the study, illegal killing was rare.

Science Magazine

Additionally, participating students answered a survey on personality at the beginning of the study.

EPJ Data Science

Species richness at the beginning of the study and after four years of herbivore exclusion.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

All the patients underwent a clinical postural evaluation at the beginning of the study.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Residents' mean duration of stay at the beginning of the study was 40.8 months (SD: 32.9).

Health Economics Review

At the beginning of the study, informed consent to participate was obtained from each subject.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

(having completed 6-month headache outpatient clinic rotation at the beginning of the study) every year.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Their weights were between 45 and 70 g at the beginning of the study.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research methodology, use "at the beginning of the study" to clearly indicate the conditions, measurements, or procedures implemented at the study's starting point. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity in your reporting.

Common error

Avoid implying a causal relationship based solely on conditions observed "at the beginning of the study". Baseline characteristics should be clearly distinguished from factors that emerge during the study period to prevent misinterpretation of results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the beginning of the study" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically indicating the time frame when certain conditions or actions were present or performed in relation to a research study. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in scientific and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the beginning of the study" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to clearly define a point of reference in research. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and utilized across various reputable sources. Its primary function is to establish initial conditions or actions, which is especially relevant in scientific, academic, and formal business writing. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the temporal context and avoids implying unsupported causal relationships. By adhering to best practices and avoiding common errors, you can use "at the beginning of the study" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the outset of the study

Replaces "beginning" with "outset", implying the initial stage or commencement.

at the start of the study

Substitutes "beginning" with "start", a more straightforward synonym.

in the initial phase of the study

Rephrases to emphasize a phase rather than a point in time.

before the study began

Simplifies the phrase into a subordinate clause.

prior to the study's commencement

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the time before the study began.

upon commencement of the study

A more formal alternative using "upon" to indicate the start.

initially in the study

Focuses on the initial state or conditions within the study.

in the early stages of the study

Highlights the developmental aspect of the study's beginning.

at the inception of the study

Replaces "beginning" with "inception", indicating the very start or origin.

as the study commenced

Changes the phrase to a dependent clause emphasizing the action of starting the study.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at the beginning of the study" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases such as "at the outset of the study", "upon commencement of the study", or "prior to the study's commencement" to achieve a more formal tone.

What's a simpler way to say "at the beginning of the study"?

A simpler way to express the same idea is to say "at the start of the study" or "before the study began".

Is it correct to use "in the beginning of the study" instead of "at the beginning of the study"?

While "in the beginning" is grammatically correct, "at the beginning of the study" is generally preferred in academic and formal writing as it provides more clarity and precision regarding the specific timeframe.

What information is typically included when describing conditions "at the beginning of the study"?

Typically, baseline characteristics of participants, initial measurements, pre-existing conditions, and any interventions or assessments conducted before the main study procedures are described when referring to conditions "at the beginning of the study".