mark the start of something

USAGE SUMMARY

"mark the start of something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an event, action, or period that begins a particular period or process. For example, "The opening ceremony marked the start of the Olympics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

War's ravages are more distant for Iraq, but post-conflict chaos delayed the recovery, and performance in 2012 may mark the start of something more sustained.

The Economist

Dave Brailsford is determined the London 2012 Olympic Games mark the start of something, rather than the end, despite being poised to relinquish his role as British Cycling performance director.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Without ending the chapter that began then, this one also marks the start of something profoundly new.

The New Yorker

FOR around 550 American servicemen, today marks the start of something new: a return to civilian life.

The Economist

But Monday marked the start of something new after Robin Soderling's defeat of Nadal the previous afternoon in the fourth round.

The New York Times - Sports

Particularly dispiriting about Mr Hatoyama's sudden departure is that his election last August looked as if it marked the start of something new in Japanese politics after decades of rule by the Liberal Democratic Party LDPP).

The Economist

There had always been a collaborative spirit in the Austrian startup scene, but 2011 marked the start of something different.

TechCrunch

If 2013 marked the start of something special, 2014 was the year Spieth confirmed his status as a genuine rising star of golf.

BBC

Recently you will also have reached another coming-of-age milestone: your parents likely called it being middle-aged but, following a heavy dose of mid-1990s pre-millennial tension, us Gen Xers prefer the more optimistic outlook of seeing the 40-year mark as the start of something new — rather than the beginning of a slow downward trajectory towards retirement.

The Times

And so this Valentine's Day kicked off the start of something new -- marked with a lone black rose to remind them of what they have been through.

Huffington Post

This month marks the beginning of high school graduation season and the start of something new for many families: college.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mark the start of something" when you want to emphasize that a particular event or moment is significant in initiating a new phase, project, or trend. For example: "This agreement marks the start of a new era in international relations."

Common error

While "mark the start of something" is acceptable, avoid overuse, especially in formal writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "initiate", "commence", or "establish" for greater impact. E.g. instead of saying "The conference marked the start of our new project", consider "The conference initiated our new project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mark the start of something" functions as a verb phrase that introduces and emphasizes the commencement of an event, period, or process. It highlights the significance of a particular moment as the initiation point of something new. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mark the start of something" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the commencement of an event or period. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, and also in scientific and formal business settings. Alternative phrases include "signal the beginning of something" and "initiate something", offering similar meanings with slight variations in formality. It's crucial to use this phrase purposefully, ensuring it aligns with the intended emphasis and context to maintain clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signal the beginning of something

Replaces "mark" with "signal" to emphasize indication of a start.

initiate something

Replaces "mark the start of" with a single verb, "initiate", indicating formal commencement.

commence something

Uses a more formal verb, "commence", instead of "mark the start of".

usher in something

Uses "usher in" to imply guiding or leading something new into existence.

kick off something

Employs a more informal and dynamic verb, "kick off", suggesting an energetic beginning.

be the inception of something

Replaces the verb "mark" with a noun-based phrase focusing on the concept of inception.

herald the dawn of something

Introduces a more poetic and evocative expression, using "herald" and "dawn".

give rise to something

Indicates that something is caused or created by the start.

lay the foundation for something

Focuses on establishing a base or groundwork for future developments.

set the stage for something

Emphasizes preparation and anticipation for what is to follow the beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "mark the start of something" to indicate the beginning of a new phase or event. For example, "The agreement marked the start of a new era" or "The project's launch marked the start of significant change".

What are some alternatives to "mark the start of something"?

Alternatives include phrases like "signal the beginning of something", "initiate something", or "commence something". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "mark the start of something" or "mark the beginning of something"?

Both "mark the start of something" and "mark the beginning of something" are grammatically correct and very similar in meaning. The choice depends on personal preference, although "start" might sound slightly less formal than "beginning".

What is the difference between "mark the start of something" and "signal the start of something"?

"Mark the start of something" emphasizes the significance of an event as a beginning, while "signal the beginning of something" emphasizes the indication or sign that a new phase is commencing. The difference is subtle but can affect the tone.