at the start of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the start of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to the beginning of a certain activity, event, time, etc. For example: At the start of the school year, I made sure to organize my desk and supplies.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Range at the start of dragging.

Stanford University

She switched at the start of 2011.

The Guardian - Sport

Out worldwide at the start of July.

The Guardian - Film

Sculptures at the start of today's stage.

The Guardian - Sport

It appears at the start of "Ulysses".

The New York Times

We're at the start of something.

The Guardian

This necessitates graduate engineer trainings at the start of employment.

Procedia Manufacturing

The width parameter at the start of dragging.

Stanford University

Homework is due at the start of class.

University of California, Berkeley

The ban took effect at the start of this year.

Stanford University

Papers are due October 18, at the start of lecture.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse in close proximity. Vary sentence structure by using synonyms like "at the beginning of" or rephrasing to improve flow and readability.

Common error

Be mindful of what "at the start of" actually refers to. It indicates the initial moment or phase, not the entire duration. Avoid implying something continues throughout the whole period simply because it was present at the beginning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the start of" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurs. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly used to specify the timing of events or actions in relation to a defined beginning. Examples like "Papers are due October 18, at the start of lecture" and "This function is called at the start of main" clearly demonstrate this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

33%

Science

33%

News & Media

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the start of" is a versatile and common prepositional phrase used to indicate the beginning of an event, period, or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, including academia, science, and news media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to use the phrase precisely to avoid ambiguity and consider alternative expressions for stylistic variation. Remembering to avoid the incorrect form "in the start of" will also ensure correct usage. The linguistic analysis reveals that the phrase primarily functions as an adverbial, providing temporal context and aiding in sequencing events. With a high source quality score and expert rating, "at the start of" stands as a reliable and effective element in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the beginning of

Replaces "start" with "beginning", offering a more general and widely understood alternative.

in the initial phase of

Uses more formal language to indicate the early stages of something.

upon commencement of

Employs a highly formal and somewhat legalistic tone, suggesting the official beginning.

with the inception of

Focuses on the very moment something begins to exist or function.

at the launch of

Suitable when referring to the initiation of a specific project, product or venture.

as something kicks off

Offers a more informal and dynamic way to describe the start of an event or process.

at the origin of

Similar to inception, but may imply the source or cause more strongly.

from the get-go

An idiom expressing the very beginning of something, often implying a specific approach from the outset.

at the dawning of

Evokes a sense of a new era or period, suitable for significant beginnings.

at the forefront of

While not exactly synonymous, it suggests being at the leading edge or start of a new trend.

FAQs

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

Use "at the start of" to indicate when something begins. For example, "At the start of the movie, the protagonist is introduced" or "At the start of the year, many people make resolutions".

What are some alternatives to "at the start of"?

Similar phrases include "at the beginning of", "in the initial phase of", or "upon commencement of". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is there a difference between "at the start of" and "in the start of"?

"At the start of" is the correct and commonly used prepositional phrase. "In the start of" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.

Can "at the start of" be used interchangeably with "from the start"?

While related, they have slightly different meanings. "At the start of" refers to a specific point in time (the beginning), whereas "from the start" implies something has been true or happening continuously since the beginning. Therefore, you can't always use "from the start" and "at the start of" interchangeably.