beginning of the month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beginning of the month" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the initial days or period of a month, often in contexts related to scheduling, planning, or financial matters. Example: "We will have our team meeting at the beginning of the month to discuss our goals for the upcoming quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"At the beginning of the month. . .

The Washington Post

And we'll do price at the beginning of the month.

Yale University

Look out for shooting stars coming at the beginning of the month.

Independent

"It's weird," Craig Robinson said, at the beginning of the month.

The New Yorker

In Monterrey, rains at the beginning of the month brought the city to a standstill.

The New York Times

At the beginning of the month, the New Zealand National party looked all but unassailable.

The Guardian

It has dropped 37 basis points since the beginning of the month.

The Washington Post

At the beginning of the month the FTSE 100 stood at 5,553.

The Guardian - Business

The Shanghai Composite had bounced 17% from its low point at the beginning of the month.

The Guardian

The new rules took effect at the beginning of the month.

The New York Times

At the beginning of the month Pierre Boulez appeared with an expanded Ensemble Modern.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events or deadlines, be specific. Instead of vaguely stating "beginning of the month", indicate the exact date or week for clarity.

Common error

While "beginning of the month" is widely understood, overuse in formal reports or academic papers can sound less professional. Opt for more precise language like "first week of the month" or specific dates for enhanced clarity and formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beginning of the month" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action takes place. It indicates the temporal context, specifying that something occurs during the initial days of a particular month. Ludwig's examples illustrate its role in setting timelines and deadlines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

18%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beginning of the month" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the initial days of a month. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adverbial phrase to set a general timeframe. While predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in academic and wiki sources. For more formal writing, consider using precise dates or phrases like "first week of the month". Although widely used, specificity is key to avoid ambiguity in scheduling or deadlines. Alternative phrases include "start of the month" or "early part of the month", each with slightly different nuances. Remember to use "beginning of the month" appropriately, considering your audience and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start of the month

Direct synonym, referring to the initial days of a month.

early part of the month

Highlights the initial segment of the month, focusing on the temporal aspect.

first week of the month

Specifies the timeframe, narrowing the focus to the first seven days.

opening days of the month

Emphasizes the initial days as the start or commencement of the month.

initial phase of the month

Formal alternative highlighting the first stage of the month's progression.

outset of the month

A more emphatic way of saying "beginning," suggesting a fresh start.

commencement of the month

Formal and less common way to describe the start of the month.

dawn of the month

More poetic and less literal, implying the start of the month is like the dawn of a new day.

in the first days of the month

Phrase with the similar meaning, but has a more verbose and less direct structure.

at the month's inception

A formal and somewhat literary alternative indicating the start of the month.

FAQs

How can I use "beginning of the month" in a sentence?

You can use "beginning of the month" to indicate a timeframe in your sentence, for example: "The report is due at the "beginning of the month"" or "We plan to launch the new product at the "beginning of the month"".

What is a more formal alternative to "beginning of the month"?

More formal alternatives to "beginning of the month" include "the first week of the month", "the early part of the month", or specifying exact dates like "the first few days of the month".

Is it better to say "start of the month" or "beginning of the month"?

Both "start of the month" and "beginning of the month" are acceptable and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context, with "start of the month" potentially sounding slightly more informal.

What does "beginning of the month" typically refer to?

"Beginning of the month" generally refers to the first few days—usually the first week—of any given month. It's a common way to indicate a period without specifying exact dates.