from the very beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from the very beginning" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to the start of something, particularly when emphasizing that the start was important. For example: "From the very beginning, we knew our plan was going to be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was successful from the very beginning.

The New York Times - Arts

We've been here from the very beginning.

The Guardian - Books

It just worked from the very beginning.

The New York Times - Style

It's been meritless from the very beginning".

The New York Times

Man has, from the very beginning, influenced his environment.

Earth-Science Reviews

It's in UC's DNA, from the very beginning.

University of California, Berkeley

From the very beginning, she thrived on the work.

Harvard University

The European Community adopted this approach from the very beginning.

Columbia University

He was with us from the very beginning.

The New York Times

They had been defined from the very beginning".

The New York Times - Sports

"We've been talking about this from the very beginning".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from the very beginning" to emphasize the importance of initial conditions or actions. For example, "From the very beginning", the company focused on customer satisfaction, which led to its long-term success.

Common error

While "from the very beginning" emphasizes a starting point, avoid using it when the context already implies a start. For example, instead of saying "We planned from the very beginning to start early", consider "We planned to start early" for a more concise statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from the very beginning" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the starting point or initial phase of an action or state. It emphasizes the importance of the initial stage. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "from the very beginning" is a versatile and frequently used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the initial phase of an event or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic papers. While interchangeable with alternatives like "from the start" or "from the outset", it is often preferred when highlighting the lasting impact of initial conditions. Remember to use "from the very beginning" to underscore how initial actions or circumstances have shaped subsequent events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from the outset

Emphasizes the initial stage of an activity or situation.

from the start

A more concise way of indicating the initial point.

from day one

Highlights the commencement of a process, emphasizing immediacy.

right from the start

Adds emphasis to the immediacy of the beginning.

at the inception

A more formal way of referring to the beginning or commencement of something.

in the initial stages

Focuses on the early phase of development.

at the dawn

Evokes a sense of beginning or emergence.

since its origin

Implies a continuous state from the time of origin.

at the genesis

Refers to the point of creation or origin, often used in a formal context.

from the ground up

Describes building something from its most basic elements.

FAQs

How can I use "from the very beginning" in a sentence?

Use "from the very beginning" to highlight an initial state or action, like in the sentence, "From the very beginning, the project faced numerous challenges".

What are some alternatives to "from the very beginning"?

You can use alternatives such as "from the outset", "from the start", or "from day one" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "from the very beginning" or "from the start"?

"From the very beginning" and "from the start" are generally interchangeable. However, "from the very beginning" can sometimes add slightly more emphasis to the initial phase.

What's the difference between "from the very beginning" and "in the beginning"?

"From the very beginning" emphasizes the initial phase and how things progressed since that point. "In the beginning" simply refers to the initial state or period, without necessarily implying a connection to subsequent events.