mark the beginning of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the start of something new or important. For example, "Today marks the beginning of our journey together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"We wanted the fall of de la Rúa to mark the beginning of something, not the end".

The New York Times

But there is some reason to hope that the Agra summit may mark the beginning of something that might reasonably be called a peace process.

The Economist

But if she takes a risk, if she really does go for it, last week will mark the beginning of something entirely new and unexpected.

The Guardian

For Palestinians, June of 1967 and the demolition of the Mughrabi quarter did not mark the beginning of something but, rather, the extension of it.

The New Yorker

This may be what Wall Street analysts used to call a "healthy correction," which doesn't spread to places like Levittown, but it could also mark the beginning of something much more serious.

The New Yorker

We ought to be able to change our light bulbs with the confidence that this small act could mark the beginning of something big: a truly clean energy future.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Ghost Town wasn't just the end of everything, it also marked the beginning of something different.

The Guardian

The pessimistic view is that the effective annexation of Crimea marks the beginning of something new and ominous: not another Cold War but, rather, a revival of a chauvinistic and expansive Russian nationalism that goes back to the tsars.

The New Yorker

It is like Gmail was when it started, a harbinger with real muscle that marks the beginning of something bigger than a single vendor.

TechCrunch

SA: In France, the 2000s marked the beginning of something new as bands like Daft Punk or Air began to emerge and export their music out of the United States.

Huffington Post

Because today marks the end of one era of your life and the beginning of something new.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mark the beginning of something" to emphasize the significance of an initial event or action that leads to further developments. For instance, "This agreement will "mark the beginning of" a new era of cooperation."

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "mark the beginning of something" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced vocabulary may be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "inaugurate" or "establish" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mark the beginning of something" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement or initiation of an event, process, or period. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure and usability, showcasing examples where it effectively emphasizes the start of something significant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mark the beginning of something" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the commencement of an event or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and encyclopedias, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. While generally acceptable, avoiding overusing it in highly formal or academic writing will improve your overall style, and the suggested alternatives, such as "signal the commencement of something", offer varied options for expressing a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicate the start of something

Substitutes "mark the beginning" with "indicate the start", offering a more straightforward expression.

signal the commencement of something

Replaces "mark the beginning" with "signal the commencement", using more formal vocabulary.

herald the dawn of something

Replaces "mark the beginning" with "herald the dawn", suggesting a more celebratory or significant start.

initiate the era of something

Uses "initiate the era" instead of "mark the beginning", emphasizing a new period or age.

usher in something

Replaces "mark the beginning" with "usher in", indicating a welcoming or introducing of something new.

commence something

Simplifies the phrase to a single verb, "commence", focusing on the action of beginning itself.

establish the genesis of something

Replaces "mark the beginning" with "establish the genesis", providing a more profound sense of origin.

be the inauguration of something

Uses a more formal term, "inauguration", to describe the beginning.

kick off something

An informal alternative to "mark the beginning", suggesting an energetic start.

set the stage for something

Implies a preparatory phase leading to the beginning, rather than the beginning itself.

FAQs

What does "mark the beginning of something" mean?

The phrase "mark the beginning of something" means to signify or indicate the start or commencement of an event, process, or period. It emphasizes that a particular moment or occurrence is the initial point from which something else develops or progresses.

How can I use "mark the beginning of something" in a sentence?

You can use "mark the beginning of something" to highlight the importance of an initial event. For instance, "The signing of the treaty will "mark the beginning of" a new era of peace."

What can I say instead of "mark the beginning of something"?

You can use alternatives like "signal the commencement of something", "indicate the start of something", or "herald the dawn of something" depending on the context.

Is "mark the beginning of something" formal or informal?

The phrase "mark the beginning of something" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider alternatives like "signal the commencement of something" or "be the inauguration of something".