beginning last January

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beginning last January" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the starting point of an event or situation that began in January of the previous year. Example: "The new policy has been in effect since beginning last January, and we have seen significant improvements since then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Beginning last January, Mr. Snibbe dusted off some of his old code and got to work.

The New York Times

Beginning last January, The New York Times made regular visits to Beth Court, about 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, to chronicle how the foreclosure crisis had reshaped a middle-class neighborhood.

The New York Times

Among those unpopular initiatves was the airline's decision to start charging passengers for food and beverage options rather than offering them free on short-haul flights beginning last January.

Forbes

Beginning last January, Gunther met several times with Secretary of Education William Bennett, representatives of President Reagan's Task Force on Private Sector Initiative, and teachers' and school administrators' groups.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Quentin Hardy: I began last January.

Forbes

Beginning next month,Mr.

The New York Times

Beginning this month, those categories are separated.

Los Angeles Times

Electricity costs, beginning this month, will drop.

Los Angeles Times

Rates listed are for the off-season, beginning this month.  .

Los Angeles Times

This change will be implemented beginning this month.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Kosenko's trial began last November.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beginning last January", ensure the context clearly indicates the year being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence after specifying "beginning last January". Maintain consistency in past or present perfect tenses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beginning last January" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event or situation started. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable for describing a commencement point. It modifies a verb, indicating the start date of an action or state.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beginning last January" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the start of something in January of the previous year. While recognized by Ludwig as correct, the phrase appears relatively infrequently, primarily in News & Media contexts. To improve clarity, ensure the year is evident. Although less common, alternatives such as "since last January" or "from last January onwards" can be used for similar effects. Be cautious about maintaining correct tense consistency and avoiding redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since last January

Focuses on the duration from January of the previous year until now, rather than the starting point.

from last January onwards

Emphasizes the continuation from last January into the future.

starting in January of last year

Provides a more explicit and formal declaration of the timeframe.

as of last January

Highlights a specific state or condition that existed from last January.

in January of the previous year

Offers a more descriptive and less direct way to mention the beginning timeframe.

from the beginning of last January

Emphasizes a clear start date and duration after that date. Includes more specific detail than the query.

with effect from last January

Indicates when a new rule, law, or system started to apply and be effective.

post last January

Implies everything that happened after January of the previous year without specifically highlighting the starting point.

following last January

Highlights subsequent events after a specific period.

early last year

Refers to a less definite and larger timeframe and is not as precise as the query.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "beginning last January" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "from January of the previous year" or "effective January last year".

Is it correct to say "beginning from last January"?

While understandable, "beginning from last January" is slightly redundant. "Beginning last January" or "since last January" are more concise and grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "beginning last January" and "starting last January"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Beginning last January" might subtly suggest a more gradual commencement, while "starting last January" implies a more distinct point of origin. The difference is minimal.

In what contexts is "beginning last January" most appropriate?

The phrase "beginning last January" is suitable for describing events, projects, or initiatives that commenced in January of the preceding year, particularly in news reports, historical accounts, or professional communications.