beginning of january

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beginning of January" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the early part of the month of January, often in contexts related to scheduling or events. Example: "We plan to launch the new product at the beginning of January."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It is only the beginning of January.

The New York Times

It's the beginning of January, and it's cold.

The New York Times

They're due at the very beginning of January.

The New Yorker

HORN: It was the beginning of January, on 5 January.

Yale University

The latest murder comes against a backdrop of political violence since the beginning of January.

The Guardian

There were 5.9 million people receiving extended benefits under special programs at the beginning of January.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The densities are lower during the end of December to beginning of January 2012 compared to other months.

Earth, Planets and Space

The Fed has cut rates 12 times since the beginning of January 2001.

The Economist

But at the close on Friday, Microsoft's stock was 55 percent below its price at the beginning of January 2000.

The New York Times

At the beginning of January 1944 the U.S. 5th Army won a position facing Cassino across the Garigliano River.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Investing $1000 in the beginning of January 2017 would have been worth over $200,000.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events, clarify the specific date or timeframe when using "beginning of January" to avoid ambiguity, as it can refer to the first few days or even the first week.

Common error

Avoid using "beginning of January" if you need to specify a precise date. Instead, use the specific date, such as "January 2nd", to eliminate potential confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beginning of January" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a specific time frame. It specifies when an event or action occurs, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beginning of January" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase to denote the early part of January. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's prevalent in news, media, scientific, and formal business contexts. While it is versatile, bear in mind that it is not specific and can refer to any time within the first few days or weeks of January. For precise scheduling or referencing, it's better to use a specific date. Alternatives include "early January" or "start of January", if appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early January

Uses a simpler adjective to convey the same timeframe.

first days of January

Specifies the initial period of the month more explicitly.

start of January

Employs a synonym for "beginning", maintaining the same structure.

in early January

Rephrases with a different prepositional structure.

January's commencement

Uses a more formal noun to denote the start of the month.

around January first

Indicates a time near the very start of January, rather than the broader beginning.

the opening of January

A more figurative way of expressing the beginning of the month.

just after New Year's Day

Refers to the period immediately following the New Year holiday, semantically close to the beginning of January.

the month's first week

Specifies a duration within the beginning of January.

at the threshold of January

Uses a metaphorical expression indicating the entry into January.

FAQs

What's another way to say "beginning of January"?

You can use alternatives like "early January", "first days of January", or "start of January" depending on the context.

How specific is the phrase "beginning of January"?

The phrase "beginning of January" is not very specific. It generally refers to the first few days or weeks of January. For precise dates, it's best to use the specific date.

Is "beginning of January" formal or informal?

The phrase "beginning of January" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is a neutral expression commonly used in various types of communication.

What does "beginning of January" typically refer to?

The "beginning of January" typically refers to the period shortly after New Year's Day, encompassing the first few days or the first week of the month.