at the inception of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the inception of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the beginning or starting point of an event, process, or situation. Example: "At the inception of the project, we outlined our goals and objectives to ensure clarity among the team."

✓ 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

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

The Guardian - Business

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

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

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

The Guardian - Sport

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

The New Yorker

For Eminem, as he himself is the first to admit, this process began at the inception of his career.

The New York Times

She was in at the inception of the organization, served as Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer for many years.

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

Use "at the inception of" to add a formal tone when discussing the commencement of projects, organizations, or initiatives. It's particularly fitting in academic, scientific, or business writing where precision and a degree of formality are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "at the inception of" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "at the start" or "in the beginning" are often more appropriate and natural in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the inception of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate the starting point or beginning phase of an event, project, organization, or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it marks the commencement or initiation of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the inception of" is a useful tool for specifying the beginning or starting point of an event, project, or organization. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, suggesting a formal tone. When writing, consider substituting with simpler alternatives like "at the beginning of" in less formal situations. Remember, while grammatically sound and widely used, its formality makes it less suitable for casual contexts. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, reinforcing its authority and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the beginning of

Focuses on the start point in a more general way, without necessarily implying the establishment of something.

at the start of

Similar to "at the beginning of", but often used for more defined periods or events.

at the outset of

Implies the very first stage, often used in formal or official contexts.

from the start of

Highlights the entire period following the initiation, rather than just the point of origin.

in the initial phase of

Emphasizes the early stages as part of a process or project.

in the early stages of

Similar to the above, but may refer to a longer initial period.

at the dawn of

More metaphorical, suggesting the beginning of a new era or development.

at the genesis of

Highlights the origin or creation point, often with a sense of importance or scale.

at the creation of

Emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence.

at the birth of

Emphasizes the origination of a new idea, project, or entity.

FAQs

How to use "at the inception of" in a sentence?

The phrase "at the inception of" is used to describe the starting point of something. For example: "At the inception of the project, we outlined our goals."

What can I say instead of "at the inception of"?

You can use alternatives like "at the beginning of", "at the start of", or "in the early stages of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at the inception of" or "in the inception of"?

"At the inception of" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "In the inception of" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "at the inception of" and "at the start of"?

While both phrases refer to the beginning, "at the inception of" often implies a more formal or foundational commencement, whereas "at the start of" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.