initial capital

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial capital" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the first letter of a word which should be capitalized, for example, "In English, all nouns require an initial capital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For modules, the language requires an initial capital.

Cornell University

Mindspeed will receive $150 million in cash from Conexant in initial capital and contingent financing.

The New York Times

"If you don't come with some initial capital, no insurance can ever work," Dr. Dror said.

The New York Times

If you are famous enough, you may keep your initial capital.

The Guardian - Opinion

Constructor names: The standard library uses CamelCase, and the language requires an initial capital.

Cornell University

Its initial capital was less than one-tenth of the Dutch company's.

Britannica

The initial capital outlay is one of the largest expenses of any HVAC system.

Building and Environment

An intergenerational bank without initial capital improves welfare for people who do not trade.

Journal of International Money and Finance

Overhead lines are cheaper in initial capital cost and are generally more economic than cable feeders.

Transmission and Distribution Electrical Engineering

American Express's initial capital plan did not appear to satisfy the Fed.

The New York Times

Its first fund is on track to return well over twice its initial capital.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In financial reports, always distinguish "initial capital" from subsequent investments or funding rounds.

Common error

Don't use "initial capital" when you mean working capital. "Initial capital" refers to the funds used to start a business, while working capital covers day-to-day operational expenses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial capital" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its role in describing the foundational funds or investments required for a business, project, or system. It generally refers to a sum of money.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial capital" is a grammatically correct and widely used term that refers to the foundational funds needed to start a business, project, or system. As shown by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, reflecting its relevance in financial and economic discussions. While alternatives like ""seed capital"" and "startup capital" exist, "initial capital" is a versatile and commonly understood term in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seed capital

Focuses on the early stage funding needed to start a business.

startup capital

Emphasizes the capital required specifically for starting a new venture.

initial investment

Highlights the act of investing rather than the capital itself.

primary funding

Stresses the foundational aspect of the funding.

starting capital

Similar to startup capital, focuses on the beginning.

early-stage financing

Specifies the timing of the financing.

first capital outlay

Refers to the first expense or disbursement of capital.

original investment

Emphasizes the original or first investment made.

basic capitalization

Highlights the act of capitalization in its most fundamental form.

preliminary funds

Highlights that the capital is at a preliminary stage.

FAQs

How to use "initial capital" in a sentence?

You can use "initial capital" to describe the funds needed to start a business, for example: "The company raised $5 million in "seed capital" to launch its new product line."

What can I say instead of "initial capital"?

You can use alternatives like ""seed capital"", "startup capital", or "initial investment" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "initial capital" and "working capital"?

"Initial capital" refers to the funds used to start a business, while working capital covers the ongoing operational expenses needed to keep the business running. They are distinct phases and purposes of capital allocation.

Is it correct to use "initial capital" when referring to the first investment in a project?

Yes, "initial capital" is perfectly acceptable when referring to the first investment in a project, especially when highlighting the foundational funding that enables the project to commence.