at the inception

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the inception" is a valid and commonly used phrase in English.
It is used to mean "from the beginning" or "at the start", and is usually used when referring to a specific project or plan. For example: "Our team worked collaboratively on the project from its inception right up until its completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For instance, Kierkegaard flourished at the inception of mass media.

The New York Times

Stakeholder involvement at the inception of a risk assessment can help attenuate these problems.

Forest Ecology and Management

At the inception of crystallization, single crystals were of the single-layered polytype.

Journal of Crystal Growth

"There was some resistance and resentment here at the inception," Mr. DeFazio said.

The New York Times

Back at the inception of gaming, fans went to video-game arcades.

The Guardian - Business

I was present at the inception of People's Park in the spring of 1969.

University of California, Berkeley

At the inception of the permissive society, Poitier stood as the restrained, courteous and uncorrupted star, someone truly heroic.

The Guardian - Film

At the inception of this country, they were part of the evangelical wing of the Church of England.

The New Yorker

It's hardly a novel recommendation – this was the original intention at the inception of the W-League in 2008.

The Guardian - Sport

Everyone else wants to be there at the inception, in case mobile marketing turns into a bonanza, like online advertising.

The New York Times

Knowledge of these coefficients is necessary for the estimation of temperature spatial profiles at the inception of frying.

Food and Bioproducts Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context: while "at the inception" is generally suitable for professional and academic writing, more informal settings might benefit from simpler alternatives like "at the beginning".

Common error

Avoid using "at the inception" when referring to events that simply occurred early on. The phrase is most effective when highlighting the foundational stage of a planned activity or entity, not merely describing something that happened first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the inception" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by specifying when something occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its common use across various contexts, indicating its versatility in expressing temporal relationships. It typically indicates the starting point of a project, idea, or organization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the inception" is a common prepositional phrase used to denote the starting point of a project, organization, or idea. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across news, scientific, and academic domains. While alternatives like "at the beginning" or "from the outset" exist, "at the inception" carries a formal tone, making it most suitable for professional or academic contexts. When using this phrase, consider the audience and ensure its formality aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the beginning

This alternative is more general and doesn't necessarily imply the formal establishment or start of a project or organization.

from the outset

This alternative emphasizes the planning stage and the initial intentions or conditions.

at the starting point

This alternative phrase is more literal and may not be as suitable for abstract concepts.

in the initial phase

This alternative highlights that it's one of many phases, not necessarily the start of a company or idea.

at the origination

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of creating or initiating something.

at the dawning

This alternative suggests the beginning of a new era or period.

in its early stages

This alternative emphasizes the development process and ongoing changes.

from day one

This is a more informal expression, indicating the very first day of an activity or endeavor.

in the preliminary stage

This alternative is closer to the start of a procedure, plan or investigation.

at its genesis

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the origin or creation of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "at the inception" to refer to the beginning of something, especially a project or organization. For instance, "The core values were defined "at the inception" of the company".

What are some alternatives to "at the inception"?

Alternatives include "at the beginning", "from the outset", or "in the initial phase", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "at the inception" formal or informal?

"At the inception" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. In more casual settings, phrases like "at the start" or "in the beginning" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "at the inception" and "at the beginning"?

While both phrases refer to the start of something, "at the inception" often implies a more structured or planned beginning, such as the founding of an organization or the commencement of a project. "At the beginning" is more general and can refer to any starting point.