from the start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from the start" is correct and can be used in written English.
It could be used to indicate the beginning of something, such as, "I knew from the start that this project was going to be a challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From the start.

Forbes

That's obvious from the start.

The New York Times

It's bumbling from the start.

The New York Times - Arts

"Right from the start".

The Guardian - Arts

"From the start, bam!

The New York Times - Sports

The deal was criticized from the start.

The New York Times

It went badly from the start.

The New York Times - Sports

Its fragility was apparent from the start.

The New York Times

It was a hit from the start.

The New York Times

From the start, I followed the dates.

The New York Times

That character was open from the start.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from the start" to clearly indicate the initial phase or beginning of an event, process, or situation. This helps establish a clear timeline for your audience.

Common error

While "from the start" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repetitively within a short span. Vary your language with alternatives like "initially", "at the outset", or "in the beginning" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from the start" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the temporal point at which an action or situation began. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "from the start" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to denote the beginning of an event, process, or situation. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various registers. While highly frequent in "news & media", it is also used in "formal & business", "science", and other contexts. To avoid redundancy, consider alternatives such as "from the outset", "from the beginning", or "initially" to enrich your writing. Remember that its primary function is to establish a clear temporal reference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the start

Omits 'from', slightly less common.

from the outset

Replaces 'start' with 'outset', emphasizing the very beginning.

from the beginning

A more common and direct synonym.

right from the beginning

Adds emphasis using 'right'.

from the get-go

An informal synonym emphasizing immediacy.

since the beginning

Indicates a duration or ongoing state since the initial point.

at the inception

A more formal way to refer to the start of something.

at the kickoff

An idiomatic synonym, particularly appropriate in sports or project contexts.

initially

A single word emphasizing the first stage.

in the initial phase

More verbose, focusing on the 'phase' aspect of the start.

FAQs

How can I use "from the start" in a sentence?

You can use "from the start" to indicate when something began. For example, "I knew "from the start" that this project would be challenging."

What's a more formal way to say "from the start"?

A more formal alternative to "from the start" is "from the outset" or "at the inception".

Is there a difference between "from the start" and "from the beginning"?

While similar, "from the start" can sometimes imply a focus on the immediate beginning of an event, whereas "from the beginning" might refer to a more extended period or foundational origin. They are often interchangeable but consider the specific nuance you intend to convey.

What are some informal alternatives to "from the start"?

Informal alternatives include "from the get-go" or "right from the start", which add emphasis and a sense of immediacy.