beginning of words

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beginning of words" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing phonetics, linguistics, or the structure of language, particularly in relation to how words are formed or pronounced. Example: "In English, the beginning of words often determines their meaning and pronunciation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Alliteration, in prosody, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or stressed syllables.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Alliteration, the audible repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or within words, is part of the sound stratum of poetry.

The New York Times - Books

The West Country sound, with its dropped h's at the beginning of words and g's at the end and its internal rolled r's, is prominent.

The New York Times

The effect of the Southern African Khoisan restrictions somewhat compensates for the complexity that an abnormally large number of unusual consonants might pose for speech perception and language learning: clicks and most other consonants uniquely identify the beginning of words.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the beginning of words and when doubled, p, t, and k came to be pronounced as affricates; after a vowel they came to be pronounced as long fricatives.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consonant sounds such as the English voiceless stops p, t, and k at the beginning of words (e.g., "pat," "top," "keel") are also aspirated because they are pronounced with an accompanying forceful expulsion of air.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

To ensure that the movies were cut at exactly the moment the word was presented to the gesturing participant, the stimulus computer's sound card emitted a sound at the beginning of word presentation.

Plosone

Though alliteration--the repetition of successive sounds at the beginning of words--can make a title catchier or more memorable, it can also make it sound trite or hokey if not done well.

WikiHow

The results suggested that the word learning difficulty in children with SLI occurred in the process of establishing a robust phonological representation at the beginning stage of word learning.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Remember to capitalize the beginning words of each sentence and all proper nouns!

WikiHow

Prefixes are word parts that you add to the beginning of other words in order to change their meaning.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing alliteration, clearly specify that it involves the repetition of consonant sounds at the "beginning of words" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "beginning of words" when you actually mean the roots or etymological origins of words. The "beginning of words" refers to the initial sounds or letters, not the historical source.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beginning of words" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It describes a specific location within words and is used in various contexts related to language and speech.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

20%

Science

27%

Less common in

Wiki

27%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beginning of words" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It refers to the initial part of words and is frequently used in discussions related to linguistics, phonetics, and language structure. While it's acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, it leans toward neutral or formal, particularly in academic or scientific settings. Related phrases include "start of words" and "initial part of words". A key writing tip is to ensure the phrase is not confused with the 'roots of words', which refers to etymological origins, not the initial sounds or letters. Ludwig's examples show its diverse usage across encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

word beginnings

A more concise phrasing using the plural form of "beginning".

initial part of words

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

start of words

This is a more concise and direct way of saying the same thing.

first part of words

Replaces "beginning" with "first", offering a slight variation in wording.

early part of words

Describes in general terms the "early part of words".

onset of words

Uses a more technical term, "onset", common in phonetics and linguistics.

word-initial position

Employs formal linguistic terminology to indicate the starting position in a word.

initial sounds of words

Focuses specifically on the sounds at the start, rather than the letters or structure.

lexical onsets

Uses a more technical term, "lexical onsets", common in linguistics.

front of words

A more informal way to refer to the "beginning of words".

FAQs

How is the phrase "beginning of words" used in linguistics?

In linguistics, the phrase "beginning of words" often refers to the study of phonetics, morphology, and how sounds and structures at the start of words influence pronunciation and meaning.

What can I say instead of "beginning of words"?

You can use alternatives like "start of words", "initial part of words", or "onset of words" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "beginning of word" or "beginning of words"?

While "beginning of word" can be used when referring to a single word, "beginning of words" is used when discussing words in general or multiple words. For example, "Alliteration involves the repetition of sounds at the "beginning of words"".

Why is understanding the "beginning of words" important for language learners?

Recognizing patterns and rules at the "beginning of words" can help language learners improve their pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary acquisition. For instance, knowing common prefixes can aid in understanding new words.