at this earlier stage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at this earlier stage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a previous point in time or development in a process or project. Example: "At this earlier stage, we have only gathered preliminary data and need further analysis before making conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's equally possible, however, that American involvement at this earlier stage heightens the chances of talent moving on too quickly instead of tilling their home turf.

The Guardian - Film

"If we in fact can intervene at this earlier stage and alter the course of the disease, that would have a big impact on quality of life," said Dr. Ronald Petersen, who directs Alzheimer's research at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

The New York Times

The team's strong operational experience gives us the expertise to back founders early and help build companies, which is why we are willing to take the risks and work with entrepreneurs at this earlier stage," he said.

TechCrunch

While cases of c rotation were encountered only among fetuses from M as opposed to E reconstructions at this earlier stage more data would be needed to establish whether this reflects a real difference.

Plosone

Treatment of animals with metyrapone inhibits both corticosterone and aldosterone synthesis, perhaps suggesting that mineralocorticoid receptor dependent mechanisms are important in programming AT1b gene expression at this earlier stage of pregnancy.

Plosone

To answer this question, we performed rescue assays at this earlier stage when the E z) inhibition is already effective (Figs 2 and 7).

Biology Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

At this early stage?

Independent

At this early stage of print, text was not static.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

PERHAPS those hopes were too high at this early stage.

The New York Times

At this early stage, they appear to have largely succeeded.

The Guardian

"Anything's possible at this early stage," Mr. Cooley said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at this earlier stage", ensure it's followed by a clear indication of what happened or what the situation was before the current stage. This provides necessary context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "at this earlier stage" without explicitly defining or implying the subsequent stages. Failing to clarify the progression can lead to confusion and ambiguity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at this earlier stage" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the timing of an action or state. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, it introduces a temporal context, indicating a point in time prior to the current one.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at this earlier stage" is a temporal phrase used to specify a point in time before the present, often to draw a comparison. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and finds application across various domains, including science, news media, and formal business contexts. While not exceedingly common, it serves a valuable function in providing temporal context and establishing a relationship between different phases. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, make sure that a subsequent phase is clearly implied or explicitly stated. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is well received and commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at this nascent phase

Replaces 'earlier stage' with 'nascent phase', emphasizing the newness or beginning of something.

at this preliminary juncture

Substitutes 'earlier stage' with 'preliminary juncture', highlighting the initial and tentative nature of the point in time.

at this initial point

Replaces 'earlier stage' with 'initial point', focusing on the starting position in a sequence or process.

at this beginning phase

Changes 'earlier stage' to 'beginning phase', clearly indicating the commencement of an activity or development.

in these early days

Uses the idiomatic expression 'in these early days' to convey the idea of something being in its initial period.

at this prior moment

Replaces 'earlier stage' with 'prior moment', emphasizing a specific point in time before the current one.

in this early timeframe

Changes 'earlier stage' to 'early timeframe', suggesting a period that is at the beginning of a longer duration.

at this primary level

Replaces 'earlier stage' with 'primary level', indicating the foundational or basic step in a process.

at this dawn of

Employs 'dawn of' to evoke the beginning or emergence of something new, adding a metaphorical dimension.

at this young age

Replaces 'earlier stage' with 'young age', focusing on youthfulness and inexperience.

FAQs

How can I use "at this earlier stage" in a sentence?

Use "at this earlier stage" to refer to a point in time or development that precedes the current one. For example, "At this earlier stage, the project was still in the planning phase".

What is a synonym for "at this earlier stage"?

Synonyms for "at this earlier stage" include "at this initial point", "at this beginning phase", or "in these early days".

When is it appropriate to use "at this earlier stage"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize a contrast between a previous situation and the current one, highlighting the progression or changes that have occurred. Make sure the context allows for an understanding of both stages.

Is "at this earlier stage" interchangeable with "at this early stage"?

While similar, "at this earlier stage" implies a comparison with a later stage already being discussed or understood. "At this early stage" simply refers to the beginning of something without necessarily implying a later point of reference.