initiate at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initiate at" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are specifying a starting point for an action or process, but it is more common to use "initiate" without "at." Example: "We will initiate the project at the beginning of next month."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A second possibility is that the two IRESes initiate at different initiator codons.

Plosone

A fraction of scanning ribosomes recognize and initiate at the uORF initiation codon in a weak Kozak context.

eLife

This will help initiate at least a temporary rise in equity market multiples.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Russians and Americans trade attacks on each other's bases and aircraft carriers and initiate at least a dozen directives to prepare for an all-out nuclear assault.

The New York Times

In the graphite, fatigue cracks predominantly initiate at porosity.

Carbon

All combinations produce 45° transverse cracks that initiate at the delamination front prior to delamination advance.

Engineering Fracture Mechanics

In addition, the fatigue cracks tended to initiate at core/shell surface due to strain localization.

Materials Science and Engineering: A

At 0 °C, curing was inhibited or did not initiate at all.

International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives

It is shown that cracks initiate at specimen surface and gradually extend to inside.

International Journal of Fatigue

Corrosion is known to initiate at sulfide inclusion in aqueous solutions.

Electrochimica Acta

Below Kcr, fatigue cracks may initiate at porosity, however, do not propagate until failure.

International Journal of Fatigue

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "initiate at" is understandable, consider using "initiate" without "at" or opting for stronger alternatives like "start at" or "begin at" for clearer and more conventional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "initiate at" excessively in formal contexts. It can sound less polished compared to simply using "initiate" or more precise alternatives like "start at" or "begin at."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initiate at" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action or process from a specific location or point. It specifies where something begins. According to Ludwig, its usage is less common than simply using "initiate."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initiate at" denotes the commencement of an action or process from a specific point. Ludwig indicates that its usage is acceptable but less common than simply using "initiate" or alternatives like "start at" or "begin at". While grammatically sound, it may sound slightly awkward in some contexts, particularly formal writing. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news-related contexts. When aiming for clarity and conciseness, consider using "initiate" without "at" or choosing a more direct alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start at

Focuses on the beginning point, similar to "initiate at" but more commonly used.

begin at

Emphasizes the start of something from a specific location or point.

commence at

A more formal way to say "begin at", implying a structured start.

launch at

Suggests a more active and forceful beginning, different from a simple start.

originate at

Highlights the origin or source from which something begins, adding a layer of causality.

stem from

Indicates that something arises or develops as a result of something else, subtly different from initiating.

arise from

Implies that something comes into existence as a consequence of something else

spring from

Suggests a sudden or rapid beginning from a specific source.

trigger at

Highlights the action that starts an event at a specific time

activate at

Focuses on the action that makes something start being active at a specific time

FAQs

How can I use "initiate at" in a sentence?

While acceptable, "initiate at" can often be replaced with simpler alternatives. For example, instead of saying "The process will initiate at the command line", you could say "The process will "start at" the command line".

What are some alternatives to "initiate at"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "begin at", ""start at"", or just "initiate" without the "at".

Is it grammatically incorrect to say "initiate at"?

It's not strictly incorrect, but it's less common and can sometimes sound awkward. Simpler alternatives are often preferred for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "initiate at"?

You might use "initiate at" when you want to emphasize the specific starting point of a process. However, ensure it sounds natural in your context; otherwise, opt for a more common alternative.