begin on a positive note

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin on a positive note" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to start something in a positive way, for example: "Let's begin the meeting on a positive note by acknowledging what we all have done well so far."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In every meeting, we make a goal to accomplish two things right at the start: to begin on a positive note, and to make sure every person's voice gets heard.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Brahimi's trip began on a positive note.

The New York Times

Propped up by two aunts at a relative's home, Ms. Etienne recounted how Wednesday had begun on a positive note.

The New York Times

Mr. Rubin's trip began on a positive note, with assurances from Chinese leaders that they do not plan to devalue their currency, the yuan.

The New York Times

But Fry begins on a positive note, attending World Pride and exploring civil partnership in London, before dropping in on Elton John and David Furnish, and generally celebrating how much has changed in British society since the Seventies.

Independent

In contrast, June 2009 has begun on a positive note, with the SPX breaking above its 200-day moving average last week for the first time since December 2007.

Forbes

The road to CdM defending its league title began on a positive note in Meyer's first season in charge.

Los Angeles Times

Smith, who watched video of the ceremony, told HuffPost that he felt the event began on a positive note but that it had been eclipsed by the incident.

Huffington Post

Today began on a positive note when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offered some optimism, despite leaving the talks on Monday and announcing that he would only rejoin if there was a realistic chance of securing a deal.

Vice

Looking back at 2008, the year began on a positive note on January 8 with President George W. Bush signing the first major new gun control law in a decade: the NICS Improvement Act.

Huffington Post

While industry, location, and target audience (among other factors) shape each company's journey, any startup can begin 2015 on a positive note by following these tips for maximizing business success.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin on a positive note" to set a constructive and encouraging tone at the start of meetings, presentations, or projects. It signals a focus on solutions and positive outcomes.

Common error

Avoid starting every communication with "begin on a positive note". While well-intentioned, overuse can make it sound insincere or formulaic. Vary your opening phrases to maintain authenticity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin on a positive note" functions as an introductory phrase or idiom. It is used to signal the intention to initiate a discussion, activity, or event with a focus on favorable aspects. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin on a positive note" is a valid phrase used to introduce an optimistic start to a discussion or activity. While less common than similar alternatives like "start on a positive note", it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is effective for setting a constructive tone, and overuse should be avoided. Top sources include The New York Times and Forbes. The phrase aims to foster optimism and encourage constructive engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start on a positive note

Uses "start" instead of "begin", providing a more common synonym.

commence on a high note

Replaces "begin" with "commence" and "positive" with "high", suggesting an auspicious start.

kick off positively

Employs a more informal idiom to convey the idea of a favorable start.

get off to a good start

Indicates a successful or promising beginning.

initiate favorably

Uses a more formal tone to describe a propitious beginning.

launch with optimism

Focuses on the optimistic outlook at the start of something.

open auspiciously

Highlights the favorable or promising nature of the beginning.

set a positive tone from the outset

Emphasizes the creation of a positive atmosphere right from the beginning.

start with a hopeful outlook

Focuses on the hopeful expectation with which something begins.

establish a positive precedent

Suggests creating a favorable example at the beginning that influences future actions.

FAQs

What does it mean to "begin on a positive note"?

To "begin on a positive note" means to start something, such as a meeting or a project, with an emphasis on positive aspects, successes, or encouraging information to set a favorable tone.

How can I "begin on a positive note" in a meeting?

You can "begin on a positive note" by acknowledging recent achievements, sharing good news, or highlighting positive feedback before addressing challenges or negative aspects.

Which is a more common phrase, "start on a positive note" or "begin on a positive note"?

While both are correct, "start on a positive note" is generally considered more common and frequently used in everyday language.

What are some alternative ways to express the idea of "begin on a positive note"?

Alternatives include "get off to a good start", "kick off positively", or "commence on a high note", depending on the formality and context.