from early on

USAGE SUMMARY

"from early on" is an acceptable and common phrase in written English.
It is most often used to indicate that something happened or was true for a long period of time, usually before a certain point. For example: "We have been friends from early on, so I have known her for most of my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From early on, football was his salvation.

The Guardian - Sport

From early on, Weber's drive was apparent.

The New Yorker

From early on, she insists on writing.

The Guardian - Books

From early on, Morgan's ambitions were spiritual rather than artistic.

The New York Times - Arts

From early on, his campaign encountered many problems.

The New York Times

From early on, Amichai rejected his parents' orthodoxy.

The Guardian

From early on, Engels recognised Marx as his intellectual superior.

The Guardian - Books

From early on, I started to call you Mater.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

From early on, Ms. Pagels wanted to be a dancer.

The New York Times - Books

From early on, we read together every night.

The New York Times

From early on, they fully supported their daughter's tennis ambitions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from early on" to establish a timeline or progression, indicating that a condition or characteristic has been present since the beginning. For example, "From early on, she showed a talent for music."

Common error

Avoid using "from early on" when referring to a specific date or event. The phrase implies a period of time, so it's more appropriate to say "since [date]" or "starting with [event]" instead. For instance, instead of "From early on in January 2020…", use "Since January 2020…".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from early on" acts as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something started or became apparent. It provides temporal context, specifying that the action or state described began in the early stages of a period or relationship. Ludwig confirms its proper use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "from early on" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to signify that something has been true or developing since the beginning of a period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. Its frequency is high, especially in news and media, and it serves to emphasize duration and persistence. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "from the beginning", the best choice depends on the specific nuance intended. Remember to avoid using it with specific dates, and leverage its power to effectively establish timelines and progressions in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from the beginning

Emphasizes the entire duration from the start.

since the start

Highlights the continuous nature from the initial point.

early in life

Focuses specifically on the beginning of someone's life.

at an early stage

Indicates a preliminary phase of development.

from a young age

Similar to 'early in life' but can apply to broader contexts.

in the initial stages

Highlights the very first parts of a process.

from the outset

Stresses the conditions were present right from the start.

at the dawn of

More metaphorical, suggesting the beginning of a new era or event.

in its infancy

Implies something is new and still developing.

from day one

Emphasizes immediacy and continuity from the very first day.

FAQs

How can I use "from early on" in a sentence?

You can use "from early on" to indicate that something has been true or present since the beginning of a period or relationship. For instance, "From early on, they recognized the importance of education."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "from early on"?

Similar phrases include "from the beginning", "since the start", or "early in life", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "from early on" or "since the beginning"?

Both "from early on" and "since the beginning" are correct, but "from early on" often implies a gradual development or recognition, while "since the beginning" simply marks the starting point. Choose the one that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Can "from early on" be used with specific dates or events?

While you can use "from early on" to discuss a period starting around a specific time, it's generally clearer to use phrases like "since that date" or "starting with that event" when referring to exact dates or events. For example, say "Since 2005, the company has expanded" rather than "From early on in 2005, the company has expanded."