at the start of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the start of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the beginning of a specific event, process, or document that has been previously mentioned. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for 10 AM, at the start of which the manager will present the quarterly report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We later discovered that there had been a two-day gun battle, at the start of which the remaining museum staff fled for their lives.

The Guardian - Arts

Later that night, at the Beacon, Douglas had his customary solo session, at the start of which he commented on the dark side of noticing exquisite detail.

The New Yorker

In the end, the margin of defeat was reduced by Tim Bresnan heaving late sixes in the final over, at the start of which 22 runs were still required.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet the end of that bad run overlapped with a four-month unbeaten run, at the start of which they slaughtered United, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Leeds in consecutive home games.

The Guardian - Sport

It would be pleasing to think that the Armenian singer, Eva Rivas, had wowed the Russians with her rendition of "Apricot Stone," at the start of which the Norwegian cameraman was, for all intents and purposes, camping out in her cleavage.

The New Yorker

The entire movie was filmed in a single all-night session in Clarke's apartment in the Hotel Chelsea, at the start of which its performer introduces himself, twice, to the camera, first as Jason Holliday and then, with laughter, as Aaron Payne, which, he says, was his given name.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

At the start of "Harvard Man," which opens today in Manhattan, Alan's life is a tumble of pleasures and complications.

The New York Times

At the start of "Stella," which opened on Thursday evening at Danspace Project, Ms. Tseng plants herself in a seat on the edge of the stage.

The New York Times - Arts

The ads are being timed to appear at the start of spring, which is traditionally a strong season for buying homes and apartments.

The New York Times

He only started track training at the start of February, which leaves him little time to get in shape for the US trials in June The next 100 days?

The Guardian - Sport

The clip opens at the start of class, which Zimmerli was teaching for the first time, with children — fifth graders, all of them black, mostly boys — looking everywhere but at the board.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the start of which" to clearly indicate the initial phase of a process or event when you need to refer back to it.

Common error

Avoid using "at the start of which" in informal contexts; simpler phrases like "when it started" or "at its beginning" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the start of which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. This clause modifies a preceding noun phrase, specifying a point in time or a condition linked to the commencement of an event or process, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the start of which" is a prepositional phrase functioning as a relative clause, commonly used to specify an action's timing relative to another event. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and best suited for formal contexts like news, scientific articles, and wiki entries. While highly precise, simpler phrases are preferable for informal settings. Alternatives include "at the beginning of which". Its frequency of use is uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the outset of which

Replaces "start" with "outset", emphasizing the initial stage more formally.

at the commencement of which

Substitutes "start" with "commencement", increasing the formality of the phrase.

at the inception of which

Replaces "start" with "inception", highlighting the very beginning or creation point.

upon the beginning of which

Adds "upon" and uses "beginning" instead of "start", making the phrase slightly more emphatic.

as which begins

Simplifies the structure, focusing on the act of beginning rather than a specific point in time. Semantic transformation is more evident.

at which it begins

Rephrases to emphasize the action starting, which involves a more evident semantic transformation.

when it initiates

Focuses on initiation as the pivotal moment, altering the structure significantly.

with the initiation of it

Shifts to naming the initiation as the subject, transforming the initial phrasing noticeably.

from its beginning

Highlights the origination of it, changing the perspective from pinpointing to generally including it in the description.

at its origination

Replaces the entire phrase focusing on origination as the reference point, the semantic impact is considerable

FAQs

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

Use "at the start of which" to introduce the beginning phase of something you've already mentioned. For example, "The project began in June, at the start of which we established the core objectives".

What's a simpler alternative to "at the start of which"?

You can use simpler alternatives such as "at the beginning of which" or, depending on the context, rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Is "at the start of which" formal or informal?

"At the start of which" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives are preferred.

How does "at the start of which" compare to "at the beginning of which"?

The phrase "at the start of which" is nearly synonymous with "at the beginning of which". The choice depends on stylistic preference, with "at the start of which" potentially sounding slightly more emphatic.