make an early start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make an early start" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to begin something early or at an early time. Example: "To make an early start on my essay, I woke up at 6 am and started writing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

They make an early start.

The Guardian

Wait for a dry day and make an early start.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Ireland could make an early start in shoring up the two big banks' financing mix.

The New York Times

I decide to make an early start on my column, because of the hurricane.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We need to make an early start in dealing with it.

The Guardian

She explained she used Doc to get there, so she could make an early start in the commodities market.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

We've made an early start, but tourists are already queuing outside.

The Guardian - Travel

Her father Louis Vigée was a well-known portrait artist and he ensured that his daughter made an early start with pastels – a genre in which she excelled.

The Guardian - Arts

Wright made an early start in trying to rebound from last year's power struggles with a two-run homer in the first inning.

The New York Times - Sports

He made an early start after his time at Oxford, where he cut his political teeth by becoming president of the union.

The Guardian

Brownlow had made an early start in journalism too, and, even more precociously, by 17 he'd made a first film, The Capture (which doesn't survive), based on Maupassant.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an early start", ensure the context clarifies why starting early is beneficial. For instance, "We need to make an early start to avoid traffic."

Common error

Avoid using "make an early start" when simply stating a fact about time. It implies intention or purpose. For example, instead of "The sun made an early start today", say "The sun rose early today".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an early start" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the act of beginning an activity or task sooner than typically scheduled or expected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make an early start" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate beginning an activity before the usual or expected time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted and applicable in various contexts. This phrase, as seen in Ludwig's examples, is frequently found in news and media, and to a lesser extent, in scientific and encyclopedic content. When using this phrase, ensure it is clear why starting early is beneficial. Alternatives such as "begin ahead of time" or "commence promptly" can be used, but note that "make an early start" specifically implies a deliberate decision to start early, not just an incidental early beginning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin ahead of time

Emphasizes starting before the expected or scheduled time.

start in advance

Focuses on beginning something before it is strictly necessary.

commence promptly

Highlights the immediate and timely nature of the start.

get going early

An informal way of saying to start something early.

kick off ahead of schedule

Implies starting a project or activity before the planned date.

set about it early

Highlights the act of addressing a task or activity sooner than expected.

initiate beforehand

Stresses the preparatory aspect of starting something early.

embark early

A more formal term for beginning something sooner than anticipated.

take the initiative early

Emphasizes proactiveness in starting something early.

launch prematurely

Suggests an even earlier start, possibly before being fully ready.

FAQs

How can I use "make an early start" in a sentence?

You can use "make an early start" to indicate beginning an activity sooner than usual. For example, "To finish the project on time, we need to "make an early start" tomorrow morning".

What's a more formal way to say "make an early start"?

A more formal alternative to "make an early start" is to say "commence promptly" or "initiate beforehand", depending on the context.

Is it always better to "make an early start"?

While starting early can be advantageous, it's not always necessary or beneficial. Consider whether the early start is strategic and aligns with overall goals. Sometimes, a well-timed start is more effective than just an early one.

What's the difference between "begin ahead of time" and "make an early start"?

"Begin ahead of time" simply means to start earlier, while "make an early start" implies a deliberate decision or plan to begin early for a specific reason or benefit.