initial moment

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial moment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the beginning or start of something. For example: At the initial moment of the race, the runners set off quickly.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Figure 11 shows receptance (at the initial moment) of a damper to a load initially being above the left neighboring sleeper (in solid line) and at the mid-span (i.e., above this damper; in dashed line), with the left plot for a stationary load and the right one for a load moving at 100 m/s.

Journal of Modern Transportation

Figure 10 shows receptance (at the initial moment) of a sleeper to a load initially being above the sleeper (in solid line) and at the mid-span (in dashed line) next to the sleeper, with the left plot for a stationary load and the right one for a load moving at 100 m/s.

Journal of Modern Transportation

From that initial moment of genius sprung so much of what we love about "Star Wars".

The New Yorker

Then Sept. 11 happened, and after an initial moment of revulsion, Kapell and his colleagues decided they wanted Uncle Sam.

The New York Times - Magazine

At that initial moment of trauma, a lick on the cheek is the most people can handle, she explains.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That was such a confidence boost," says Hynes. "There was an initial moment of complete fucking horror.

The Guardian

I then asked him to consider the initial moment of contact, when Wilson and Brown were still talking.

The New Yorker

It was not surprising that my initial moment of awe proved to be the first of many.

The New York Times - Travel

For an initial moment she did not realise what had occurred but, once the result appeared on the big screen, an outpouring of emotion followed.

The Guardian - Sport

Franz Klein's Requiem of 1958, a great dark churning mass, captures this changing mood, just as Rothko's darkening palette seems to reflect the dissolution of an initial moment of optimism.

The Guardian - Arts

No such reference to an initial moment of existence is required on the alternative approach.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initial moment" to specifically denote the very start of an event, process, or period, especially when precision is important. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "initial moment" when you actually mean "initial stage". "Initial moment" refers to a precise point in time, while "initial stage" implies a longer duration or phase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial moment" functions as a noun phrase specifying the start or beginning of a period or event. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is generally considered correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in both science and news.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial moment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the very start of an event or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. Its usage spans diverse fields, with a higher prevalence in scientific and news contexts. While it can be used interchangeably with similar phrases like "outset" or "beginning phase", it's important to distinguish it from related concepts like "initial stage", which implies a duration rather than a precise point in time. Using "initial moment" effectively involves recognizing its precision and suitability for formal and technical communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outset

Refers to the very beginning of something.

birth

Emphasizes the creation or emergence of something new.

first instance

Highlights the very first occurrence of something.

beginning phase

Emphasizes the start of a process or development.

starting point

Highlights the origin or commencement of something.

commencement

Suggests a formal beginning or start.

inception

Focuses on the establishment or creation of something.

dawn

Evokes the idea of a new beginning or emergence.

genesis

Highlights the origin or creation of something, often on a grand scale.

infancy

Refers to the early stages of development or existence.

FAQs

How can I use "initial moment" in a sentence?

You can use "initial moment" to describe the beginning of an event or process, such as "At the initial moment of the experiment, the temperature was recorded." or "The "initial moment" of contact is crucial in negotiations".

What are some alternatives to "initial moment"?

Some alternatives include "beginning phase", "starting point", or "outset", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "initial moment" and "first moment"?

"Initial moment" and "first moment" are often interchangeable, but "initial moment" might slightly emphasize a planned or defined beginning, whereas "first moment" can refer to simply the earliest point in time.

When is it appropriate to use "initial moment" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "initial moment" when you want to emphasize the very start of something, especially in scientific, technical, or formal contexts where precision is important. In more informal contexts, simpler terms like "beginning" might suffice.