inaugural class

USAGE SUMMARY

'inaugural class' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the first class of a certain program, activity, or school. For example, "The college welcomed its inaugural class of freshmen this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Last year, SPARK's inaugural class took New Jersey's third-grade standardized tests.

The New Yorker

Among the inaugural class of 12 designers, Prabal Gurung is the breakout success story.

The New York Times

OnSwipe is one of the dozen start-ups in the incubator's inaugural class in New York.

The New York Times

The big test is approaching, as Cornell's inaugural class applies for its medical residencies.

The New York Times

The school's inaugural class in 2009 will have 120 fifth graders, shepherded by seven "master" teachers.

The New York Times

When Singapore's first liberal arts college welcomes its inaugural class this autumn, it will have 50 faculty members.

The New York Times

The inaugural class, which will graduate in December, has competed for over $100,000 in seed money.

The New York Times

The law school hopes to offer full scholarships to all 60 members of its inaugural class in 2009.

The New York Times

He approached Watson after the game, asking if he wanted to become part of the academy's inaugural class.

The Guardian - Sport

And in January, all three will be in the inaugural class of a new training program for wounded soldiers.

The New York Times

Each of the 30 students who are in Reach's inaugural class meet with the cohort for three hours a week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the "inaugural class", ensure it is clear what program, school, or institution they are the first class of. Providing context helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "inaugural class" to describe a group that is simply the first of a specific year or term, rather than the first-ever class of a program or institution. For example, a "first-year class" or "freshman class" would be more appropriate than an "inaugural class" in many such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inaugural class" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies and describes a specific group of individuals: the first to participate in a program or institution. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase is widely recognized and accepted, with numerous examples across various reputable sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inaugural class" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that denotes the first group of participants in a new venture such as a school program or institution. Ludwig AI confirms its broad acceptance and usability, showing how it functions across various domains from news and media to science and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what entity this class is the "inaugural" group for. While alternatives like "first class" or "founding class" exist, "inaugural class" offers a specific and often formal tone suitable for various communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first class

Refers to the initial group of students or participants in a program, similar to "inaugural class" but more general.

founding class

Emphasizes the role of the class in establishing a new institution or program.

initial cohort

Uses the term 'cohort' to specify a group of people banded together or treated as a group.

charter class

Implies that the class is part of the founding or chartering of an institution.

premier class

Highlights the class as being the first and potentially of high quality.

original student body

Focuses on the students as a collective, marking them as the first.

first intake

Commonly used in British English to refer to the first group admitted.

pilot class

Suggests the class is part of a trial program or experiment.

genesis group

Implies the origin or beginning of a program or institution.

starting group

A simple and straightforward alternative for the initial group.

FAQs

What does "inaugural class" mean?

The "inaugural class" refers to the first group of students, members, or participants in a new program, school, or organization.

How can I use "inaugural class" in a sentence?

You might say, "The university welcomed its "inaugural class" of medical students this year."

What are some alternatives to "inaugural class"?

Alternatives include "first class", "founding class", or "initial cohort" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "inaugural class" in formal writing?

Yes, "inaugural class" is appropriate for formal writing when referring to the first class of a new institution or program.