initiating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initiating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of starting or beginning a process or action. Example: "The team is initiating the project next week to ensure timely completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The university board of directors responded to the Bungehuis protest by initiating a lawsuit against the occupying student seeking a fine of €100,000 per student per day.

The Guardian

Instead of initiating the subsequent international ruckus, perhaps TSA members should have simply watched Islam's Behind the Music special on US cable network VH1 instead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Back in 1962, a young man named Nigel Potter arrived in Glasgow from London to start voluntary work in an approved school, thereby initiating what became Community Service Volunteers, later CSV.

The Guardian

Remembering the wise words of an old bookseller, "You can't steal knowledge", instead of initiating potentially awkward inquiries I simply reordered more copies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The IPCC then took the unusual step of rejecting the Met's inquiry in its entirety, initiating the fully independent investigation.

The Guardian

Answer: The nice thing about initiating a gender discussion is that you can pretty much start anywhere.

The Guardian

Soon after the Gulf war of 1991, the first President Bush convened a summit of Arabs and Israelis in Madrid, thereby initiating a decade of peacemaking.

The Economist

These feelings have already stirred the army to challenge India directly in recent months, by initiating artillery exchanges across the front-line in Kashmir.

The Economist

On top of the clause that allows a majority of a bond's holders to approve a restructuring, he wanted other clauses that lay out the procedures for initiating and managing a default.

The Economist

That is why Mr De Gucht has been forced to consider initiating an unusual ex officio investigation, rather than the normal sort, which would have begun with a filing by a European complainant.It would be reasonable to suppose that opposition from industry and national governments would be enough to quash the telecoms investigation too.

The Economist

In Chengdu, which is responsible for a large rural area including Dayi county, officials spoke of initiating a "new land reform" (hinting at similarities to the great land reform that divvied up the estate of landlord Liu).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initiating" when you want to emphasize the formal commencement of a process, project, or investigation. It conveys a sense of deliberate action and planning.

Common error

Avoid using "initiating" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "starting" or "beginning" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "initiating" is that of a present participle, often functioning as a verb in continuous tenses or as an adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms this is commonly used to describe actions in progress or to attribute the characteristic of starting something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "initiating" is a versatile verb form frequently used to describe the start of processes and actions. Ludwig AI confirms that it is deemed grammatically correct and is very commonly found in news, academic, and business contexts, implying a neutral to formal tone. When choosing alternatives, consider factors like formality and specific context, opting for words like "commencing" in formal settings or "starting" in more general ones. Use "initiating" to highlight the deliberate commencement of a process, but be mindful of overusing it in informal situations where simpler terms might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commencing

A more formal synonym for "initiating", often used in official or legal contexts.

beginning

A general and widely understood term for starting something, lacking the technical implication of "initiating".

starting

A common and versatile term, slightly less formal than "initiating".

launching

Implies a more significant or public start, often used for projects or products.

triggering

Suggests that something is causing a reaction or chain of events.

inaugurating

A formal term often used for starting a new institution or process.

instigating

Often carries a negative connotation, implying the start of something troublesome.

setting in motion

Describes starting a process or series of actions.

prompting

Suggests that something encourages or causes an action to start.

sparking

Implies a sudden or energetic start, often used for ideas or movements.

FAQs

How to use "initiating" in a sentence?

"Initiating" is the present participle of the verb initiate, meaning to begin or start something. For example: "The company is initiating a new marketing campaign." or "The research team is initiating a study on climate change."

What can I say instead of "initiating"?

You can use alternatives like "starting", "beginning", "commencing", or "launching" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "initiating"?

It is appropriate when referring to the act of starting or beginning a process or action, usually in a formal or official setting. It's often used in business, legal, or academic contexts.

What is the difference between "initiating" and "starting"?

"Initiating" is generally more formal and suggests a deliberate or planned beginning. "Starting" is a more general term and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.