begin at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express the point or time that something starts or begins. For example, "Our tour of the museum will begin at 10 a.m."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Arts

Opinion

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Festivities begin at noon.

The New York Times

Rooms begin at $389.

The New York Times - Travel

Movies begin at dusk.

The New York Times

Events begin at 8 a.m.

The New York Times - Arts

Let's begin at the beginning.

The Economist

Helicopter tours begin at $129.

The New York Times

Doubles begin at $45.

The New York Times - Travel

Begin at the end.

The Guardian - Books

Rates begin at $254.

The New York Times - Travel

Doubles begin at $210.

The New York Times - Travel

Rates begin at $200.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin at" to clearly specify the starting point or time of an event, activity, or process. For example, "The meeting will begin at 9 a.m."

Common error

While "begin at" specifies a point in time or location, avoid using it interchangeably with "begin from" when referring to a reason or cause. For instance, say "The investigation will begin at the crime scene", but "The argument began from a misunderstanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin at" functions as a verb phrase indicating the starting point of an action, event, or process. As Ludwig AI explains, it specifies when or where something commences, adding clarity to the initiation of the subject being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Travel

20%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "begin at" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate the starting point or time of an event, process, or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts, including news and media, travel writing, and the arts. When using "begin at", ensure you're clearly specifying a location or time, and avoid confusing it with "begin from", which indicates a starting point in reasoning or causation. Common alternatives include "commence at" or "start from". By keeping these nuances in mind, you can effectively use "begin at" to enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commence at

Uses a more formal verb, 'commence', instead of 'begin', maintaining the same core meaning.

start from

Emphasizes the starting point rather than the act of beginning.

originate at

Focuses on the origin or source of something, rather than just the start.

initiate at

Implies a more active or formal start.

kick off at

Uses a more informal, energetic expression for starting.

get underway at

Emphasizes the process of something beginning and progressing.

spring from

Indicates that something arises or emerges from a specific place or time.

date from

Indicates the point in time when something came into existence or began.

stem from

Highlights the cause or origin of something.

be rooted in

Implies a deeper, more fundamental origin.

FAQs

How do I use "begin at" in a sentence?

Use "begin at" to indicate the starting point of an event, process, or activity. For example, "The tour will begin at the entrance" or "The concert will begin at 8 PM".

What's a more formal alternative to "begin at"?

A more formal alternative to "begin at" is "commence at". It conveys a similar meaning but is often used in more formal contexts.

Is it correct to say "begin from" instead of "begin at"?

While both phrases relate to starting, "begin at" specifies a location or time, whereas "begin from" indicates a starting point in reasoning or a cause. So, it depends on the context.

Can "start from" be used interchangeably with "begin at"?

Yes, in many contexts, "start from" can be used interchangeably with "begin at", especially when referring to a starting point. However, "begin at" is often more specific to a location or time.