embark

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "embark" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean to begin a journey or an undertaking. Example sentence: We will embark on our journey across the country tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Darling, who had asked Osborne after he assumed the leadership of Better Together in 2012 for Treasury back-up, had his ammunition as he joined forces with Dunlop to embark on a final round of discussions ahead of the chancellor's announcement in a speech in Edinburgh on 13 February.

The Guardian

His brief was simple: what drives a man to embark on such a frenzied spree of murder?

The Guardian

Some believe that he will embark on another frenzied round of killing before almost deliberately being caught.

The Guardian

But as I embark on my third year at university, I can say that landlords have been the biggest headache of my academic career.

The Guardian

Last week Microsoft filed its appeal: "The power to embark on unilateral law enforcement incursions into a foreign sovereign country – directly or indirectly – has profound foreign policy consequences.

The Guardian - Tech

He "sold his businesses," desperate to embark on a legitimate new life.

The Guardian - Music

The Tories' motives may be cynical as they are anxious to their green credentials which they see as a vote winner, but at least they have opened up the debate which Labour has refused to embark on.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Some might be already looking for a smuggler to embark on the next boat heading to Europe," said one of Bedrush's security team.

The Guardian

Over the next 20 years the world has the chance to embark along a better path of economic growth that gives a much greater chance of managing climate change and overcoming poverty than the old high-carbon route.

The Guardian

Reacting to the Sun’s scandalous labelling of the victims and survivors as ‘Scum!’, Carlyle is driven to embark on a vengeful murder spree.

The Guardian - Film

This "grassroots" movement is now about to embark on an "Opt Out" tour of 20 college towns across the country as part of its effort to steer young people away from the Obamacare exchanges.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "embark" to denote the commencement of a journey, project, or significant undertaking. It adds a touch of formality and intention to your writing.

Common error

While "embark" is a perfectly valid word, avoid using it excessively in casual or informal settings where simpler alternatives like "start" or "begin" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "embark" is as an intransitive verb, often followed by the preposition "on". It signifies the commencement of a journey, task, or enterprise. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, such as "embark on a journey" or "embark on a new project".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "embark" is a versatile verb used to signify the beginning of a journey, project, or significant undertaking. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The word carries a slightly formal tone and is frequently used in news, business, and other professional contexts. When using "embark", remember that it implies a conscious decision to start something new or significant. Consider using synonyms like "begin" or "commence" in more casual situations. Avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin

General term for starting an activity or journey.

commence

Formal synonym emphasizing the start of something significant.

set out

Suggests starting a journey or expedition.

undertake

Implies taking on a responsibility or project.

initiate

Implies starting a process or action, often in a formal context.

launch

Often used for initiatives, projects, or campaigns.

get underway

Emphasizes the process of starting and progressing.

set forth

A more formal and literary way of saying to begin or start.

kick off

Informal way to describe the start of a project or event.

enter upon

Suggests beginning a formal or significant endeavor.

FAQs

How to use "embark" in a sentence?

You can use "embark" to describe the beginning of a journey or project, such as "We will "embark on a journey" across the country" or "The company is preparing to "embark on a new venture"".

What can I say instead of "embark"?

You can use alternatives like "begin", "commence", or "start" depending on the context. "Commence" is more formal, while "start" is more general.

Which is correct, "embark on" or "embark in"?

"Embark on" is the correct and idiomatic prepositional phrase to use with "embark" when describing the beginning of a journey or project. "Embark in" is not typically used.

What's the difference between "embark" and "start"?

While both words indicate the beginning of something, "embark" often implies a more significant or formal undertaking than "start". "Start" is a more general term.