inaugural match

USAGE SUMMARY

"inaugural match" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually refers to the first time an event or competition has been held, usually one that will be repeated in the future. For example, "The team will compete in their inaugural match this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

In the inaugural match, Reshevsky won 3 games, Benko won one, & there were three draws.

The New Yorker

Plans to hold the opening ceremony and inaugural match at Morumbi were scrapped.

The New York Times

Next up is the inaugural match, and that too promises to be fun.

The Guardian - Sport

BANGLADESH -- About 3,000 spectators attended the inaugural match of Bangladesh's women's league yesterday in Dhaka.

The New York Times - Sports

This inaugural match of our "European Tour" sent a frisson through the claret-and-blue army.

The Guardian - Sport

Until late this week, the probable starters for the inaugural match had not practiced together.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

He was unable to play in the inaugural matches in 1994, suffering from a gastrointestinal illness that left him weak and underweight.

The New York Times - Sports

WORLD FOOTBALL CHALLENGE Oscar Rojas scored the winning goal in the shootout as Club América defeated Inter Milan on penalty kicks, 5-4, after a 1-1 toe takeake the first match of the inaugural World Football Challenge in Stanford, Calif.

The New York Times - Sports

Loughborough Lightning secured a 43-run, bonus-point win over Yorkshire Diamonds in the first match of the inaugural Super League at Headingley.

BBC

The first match of the inaugural season of Overwatch is set for 4 00 pm PST to catch the kids on the West Coast as they get out of school, kids on the East Coast as they finish dinner and kids in Asia as they get up in the morning.

TechCrunch

1872 - Oxford and Cambridge play their inaugural Varsity Match.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inaugural match" to specifically denote the very first game of a series, tournament, or in a new stadium. It adds a sense of importance and new beginning to the event.

Common error

Avoid using "inaugural match" when referring to an exhibition or friendly match that doesn't mark the official start of a competition. An inaugural match should signify the commencement of something new and official.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inaugural match" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. It identifies a specific event, namely the first match of a competition, season, or at a venue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inaugural match" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the first game or contest in a series or at a new venue. Ludwig AI confirms it is widely used and understood. Its primary function is to denote the beginning of something significant, often in the context of sports. While the phrase maintains a generally neutral tone, it's most commonly found in news, media and professional contexts, highlighting its descriptive and celebratory use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opening game

Focuses on the game that initiates a series or season.

first game

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of being the very first game played.

opening fixture

Uses 'fixture' as a synonym for 'match', common in British English.

first contest

Replaces "match" with "contest", broadening the context beyond just sports.

initial game

Substitutes "inaugural" with "initial" to denote the starting game.

debut match

Highlights the debut aspect, suitable when a team or stadium is making its first appearance.

introductory match

Uses "introductory" as a synonym to highlight the start of a series.

first round match

Specifically indicates a match in the first round of a tournament.

season opener

Focuses on the beginning of a sports season.

opening day game

Highlights the game played on the opening day of a league or tournament.

FAQs

What does "inaugural match" mean?

The "inaugural match" refers to the very first game or contest in a series, tournament, or at a new venue. It marks the beginning of something new and is often a significant event.

How to use "inaugural match" in a sentence?

You might say, "The stadium was packed for the "inaugural match"", or "Our team is preparing for their "inaugural match" in the new league".

What can I say instead of "inaugural match"?

You can use alternatives like "opening game", "first match", or "debut game" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "inaugural match" for any first game?

While "inaugural match" technically means the first match, it's best used when the event signifies a noteworthy beginning, such as the start of a new league, a new stadium's opening, or a special competition. Avoid using it for just any routine game.