beginning of war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beginning of war" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the initial phase or onset of a conflict or war. Example: "The beginning of war often brings uncertainty and fear to the affected populations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

When you couple that with the beginning of war, the German population of Jews was quite small.

Cornell University

"Military intervention would be the beginning of war and the end of any relations between Ukraine and Russia," Yatseniuk said.

The Guardian

Ms. Canacki sees the idea as a disaster, "the beginning of war, and more and more separation".

The New York Times

In Kiev, the acting Prime Minister, Arseny Yatseniuk, told reporters: "Military intervention would be the beginning of war and the end of any relations between Ukraine and Russia".

Independent

It said the drop in bookings since the beginning of war with Iraq left it no alternative to try to recover lost revenue.

The New York Times

"As a journalist, I look at these tapestries as the beginning of war photography," said Miguel Angel Aguilar, the chairman of the Fundacion and an opinion writer for the newspaper El Pais, at the opening gala, which drew ambassadors from across the diplomatic world and at least one Spanish princess.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The United Kingdom and France responded to the invasion by declaring war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II.

Wikipedia

From the beginning of World War I, he opposed Irish participation in the British war effort.

Encyclopedia Britannica

President Bush has used the Cold War as an inspirational analogy almost from the beginning of the war on terror.

The New Yorker

Obsolescent by the beginning of World War I, neither ship was very active during the war.

Wikipedia

From the beginning of World War I, wood products were in great demand for war production.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "beginning of war", ensure the context clearly defines which specific conflict you are referencing to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "beginning of World War II" or "beginning of the Syrian civil war".

Common error

Avoid using "beginning of war" when you actually mean to discuss the underlying causes or preconditions that led to the war. The "beginning of war" refers to the initial events that triggered the conflict, not the reasons behind it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beginning of war" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It denotes the initial stage or event that marks the commencement of armed conflict. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beginning of war" is a commonly used noun phrase that effectively describes the commencement of armed conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, with a primary purpose of setting the stage for discussing events related to the onset of warfare. While generally neutral in register, its formality can shift based on the source, ranging from news reports to academic analyses. Related phrases like "outbreak of war" and "start of hostilities" offer similar meanings, but it's crucial to differentiate "beginning of war" from discussions about the causes that lead to war. Clear contextualization is vital to prevent ambiguity and ensure precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outbreak of war

Replaces 'beginning' with 'outbreak', emphasizing the sudden start of the conflict.

outset of war

Similar to 'outbreak', but slightly less dramatic.

start of hostilities

Uses more formal language, replacing 'war' with 'hostilities' and 'beginning' with 'start'.

dawn of war

Employs a more metaphorical term 'dawn' to indicate the commencement of war.

initiation of war

A more formal and less common way to express the start of war.

commencement of war

A formal alternative, replacing 'beginning' with 'commencement'.

launch of war

Suggests a planned or deliberate start to the war.

eruption of war

Suggests a sudden and violent start to the war.

inception of war

A more technical or academic alternative.

genesis of war

Implies the origins or creation of a war.

FAQs

How can I use "beginning of war" in a sentence?

You can use "beginning of war" to describe the initial phase or event that started a conflict. For example, "The attack on Pearl Harbor marked the beginning of war between the United States and Japan."

What are some alternatives to "beginning of war"?

Alternatives include "outbreak of war", "start of hostilities", or "dawn of war". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it more appropriate to say "start of a war" or "beginning of a war"?

Both "start of a war" and "beginning of a war" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations, as they convey essentially the same meaning.

What's the difference between "beginning of war" and "escalation of war"?

"Beginning of war" refers to the initial phase or event that triggers a conflict. "Escalation of war", on the other hand, describes a situation where a conflict intensifies or expands in scope and intensity.