at the start

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the start" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to the beginning of something, such as a task, event, or process. For example: "At the start of the meeting, let's go around the room introducing ourselves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We struggled at the start.

Independent

I was sloppy at the start.

The New York Times

Woods looked very calm at the start.

The New York Times

Ferguson almost failed at the start.

The New York Times - Sports

Everyone is friends at the start.

The New Yorker

"At the start, anything made a profit.

The New Yorker

Yes, there were problems at the start.

The New York Times

The bonding intensified at the start line.

The New York Times

I'm just at the start.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rankin: At the start, no.

The Guardian - Books

We're just at the start".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the start", ensure it clearly indicates the commencement of an activity or period. For clarity, specify what is beginning, for example, "At the start of the project, we outlined the goals."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions such as "in the start" or "on the start". The correct preposition is "at", as in "at the start".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the start" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the temporal location of an action or state. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the start" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote the beginning of something. Ludwig confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various domains, especially in news and media, science, and general contexts. It's important to use the correct preposition "at" and to ensure clarity by specifying what is commencing. Related phrases like "at the beginning" or "initially" can serve as alternatives, depending on the desired nuance. With its neutral register and clear communicative purpose, "at the start" remains a reliable choice for establishing a temporal reference point in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the beginning

Replaces "start" with "beginning", a common synonym, maintaining the same preposition "at the".

at the outset

Replaces "start" with "outset", offering a slightly more emphatic alternative.

in the initial phase

Substitutes "at" with "in" and uses a more descriptive term "initial phase" instead of "start".

at inception

Replaces "start" with "inception", providing a more formal tone.

in the early stages

Uses a more descriptive phrase to refer to the beginning, emphasizing the developmental aspect.

in the first instance

Offers a formal alternative, emphasizing the order of events.

initially

Uses an adverbial form to convey the same meaning, changing the sentence structure.

to begin with

Shifts the focus to the act of beginning, altering the sentence structure.

from the get-go

Provides a more informal, idiomatic alternative.

at the dawning

Replaces start with dawning. Using this phrase is usually to make a sentence more evocative.

FAQs

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

Use "at the start" to indicate the beginning of an event, process, or period. For example, "At the start of the meeting, we reviewed the agenda".

What are some alternatives to "at the start"?

Alternatives include "at the beginning", "initially", and "at the outset", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "at the start" or "in the start"?

"At the start" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "In the start" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "at the start" and "at the beginning"?

While both phrases are very similar, "at the start" might imply a more immediate commencement, while "at the beginning" can refer to a broader initial period.