initial year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the first year of a particular period, project, or event. Example: "In the initial year of the program, we saw significant growth in participation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some scholarships are renewed after the initial year of study.

Harvard University

I restrict the post-SFAS 141 sample to the initial year of SFAS 141 implementation.

Research in Accounting Regulation

"True Notebooks" is an account of his initial year and a half in that class.

The New York Times - Books

It aims for annual sales of 10 billion yen ($93.25 million) in the initial year.

The New York Times

And its birth and initial year of life seemingly couldn't have gone smoother.

The New York Times

We are launching our initial year in the Fall of 2017!

Cornell University

Hospital survival was 88.6% overall and increased to 93.1% after the initial year.

Stanford University

The company did not disclose that the rates would increase $45 after the initial year.

Harvard University

Custer Battles finished out the initial year of the airport contract but it was not renewed.

The New York Times

After the initial year, the prize was opened to writing from across the LGBTQ+ community.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Initial year-zero costs were higher with two iStents ($2,810) than with SLT ($842) or medications only ($996).

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial year" in a business context, consider quantifying achievements or goals set during that period to provide concrete evidence of progress.

Common error

Avoid using "initial year" when referring to a generic first year without specific context. Ensure it clearly relates to a defined period, project, or event. For instance, specify whose "initial year" you are referencing to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial year" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, specifying the first year of a particular period or endeavor. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial year" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the first year of a specific period, project, or event. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including academia, news media, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "first year" or "inaugural year" may be suitable depending on the context, "initial year" provides a clear and straightforward way to designate the beginning of a timeframe. When employing this phrase, ensure the context is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. The high expert rating and the large number of examples further attest to its validity and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first year

Replaces "initial" with its direct synonym "first", maintaining the same meaning.

opening year

Emphasizes the beginning or start of a period, similar to "initial year".

inaugural year

Formal term for the first year of an event, organization, or program.

first-year

Hyphenated adjective form, often used before a noun (e.g., first-year student).

premiere year

Highlights the debut or launch year, often used for events or products.

launch year

Focuses on the year something was launched or introduced.

beginning year

Highlights that is about the start of a period, similar to "initial year".

commencement year

Highlights the start, often used for projects or periods.

early year

Highlights early stages instead of a specific starting point, similar to "initial year".

start-up year

Commonly used for business context when talking about first year.

FAQs

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

You can use "initial year" to describe the first year of a program, project, or any defined period. For example, "The company experienced significant growth in its "initial year" of operations."

What's a more formal alternative to "initial year"?

Alternatives like "inaugural year" or "commencement year" can provide a more formal tone, particularly in academic or official contexts.

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

While largely interchangeable, "first year" is more general, while ""initial year"" often implies a planned or structured beginning, such as the start of a project.

When should I avoid using "initial year"?

Avoid using "initial year" if the context is unclear or lacks a specific timeframe. Ensure it's evident what the ""initial year"" refers to, preventing confusion for the reader.