initial time

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial time" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to mean the beginning or start of a process, and is often used in a sentence like "At the initial time, we weren't sure how our project would turn out."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The initial time when she dropped to the floor and then two more times.

The Guardian

The benefits of electronic records far outweigh the initial time and costs.

The New York Times

"I very rarely see people after the initial time in court".

The New Yorker

I only need to be certain of the initial time, which is easy.

The New Yorker

"That initial time," he said, "when I opened up the front door … I looked.

The New Yorker

The initial time for each case refers to the first evidence of uplift.

Nature

Fortunately, the worst is behind us in terms of initial time and money investments.

Harvard University

Regular feedback, as described in Section 3.2.1, is encouraged during this initial time of employment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Be warned that the initial Time Machine backup can require a very long time.

The New York Times

Wednesday's tie-breaker starts with four rapid games, with an initial time limit of 25 minutes per player.

The Guardian - Sport

The initial time, the agent and the duration time are confused at present.

Journal of Clinical Virology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial time" in technical writing, clearly define what event or process the time refers to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "initial time" when "start time" or "beginning" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial time" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It specifies the starting point in a sequence of events, a calculation, or a measured period, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, particularly within scientific, academic, and news contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase clearly refers to the beginning or starting point of a process or event. While "initial time" is correct, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives like "start time" or "beginning time" for less formal situations. Remember to define clearly what event or duration is being referred to in more technical writing to ensure understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting time

Replaces "initial" with "starting", maintaining the core meaning of the beginning of a duration or event.

beginning time

Substitutes "initial" with "beginning", emphasizing the commencement of a period.

start time

A simpler and more commonly used alternative to "initial time".

outset

A more concise term referring to the start or commencement of something.

commencement time

Uses a more formal word, "commencement", for "initial", suitable for specific contexts.

time of origin

Emphasizes the point from which something originates or begins.

zero hour

An idiomatic expression indicating the moment at which an operation or event is scheduled to begin.

point of departure

Highlights the starting point from which something diverges or progresses.

genesis

Implies the origin or mode of formation of something, focusing on its inception.

incipience

Refers to the beginning stage or early existence of something.

FAQs

What does "initial time" mean?

The phrase "initial time" refers to the starting point or the beginning of a particular duration, process, or event.

What can I say instead of "initial time"?

You can use alternatives like "starting time", "beginning time", or "start time" depending on the context.

In what contexts is "initial time" most appropriate?

The phrase "initial time" is suitable in technical, scientific, or formal contexts where precision is important. Simpler alternatives may be better for general use.

Is "initial time" the same as "first time"?

While similar, "initial time" focuses on the starting point of a process, whereas "first time" emphasizes that something is happening for the first occasion. The phrases are not always interchangeable.