off to a nice start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "off to a nice start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has begun positively or favorably, often in the context of projects, events, or experiences. Example: "The meeting was productive, and we are off to a nice start with our new initiative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But he's off to a nice start.

The New York Times

Sure, the stock market is off to a nice start this year.

The New York Times

It seems he's off to a nice start collecting waterfront homes in the Hamptons, too.

The New York Times

We got off to a nice start, but we didn't play very well last week.

The New York Times - Sports

Nova got off to a nice start, working around a Howie Kendrick triple in the first inning.

The New York Times - Sports

We did what we needed to do at the 1st hole and got off to a nice start.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Kick off with a battle – gets the book off to a nice, fast start.

Independent

"He's off to a nice, bright start," said Jennifer Duffy, managing editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

The New York Times

Just to make sure 2016 got off to a nice consistent start, the World Bank announced on Thursday that it had revised down its growth forecast for the year.

The Guardian - Business

It's nice to get off to a decent start".

Independent

MAVERICKS 97, CELTICS 86: Dallas stayed perfect in convincing fashion against a team that was off to a pretty nice start of its own.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "off to a nice start" to convey a positive beginning, particularly in the context of projects, initiatives, or events where initial progress is promising. It's suitable for indicating early success or favorable conditions.

Common error

While "off to a nice start" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "commenced auspiciously" or "initiated successfully" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off to a nice start" functions as an idiomatic expression. It is used to describe the initial phase of an activity, project, or event, conveying a sense of positive commencement. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "off to a nice start" is a commonly used phrase that effectively communicates a positive beginning. It's grammatically correct and most appropriate for neutral to informal contexts like news and general conversations, as verified by Ludwig AI. While versatile, remember to consider more formal alternatives like "begun favorably" in academic or highly professional settings. Be mindful of overuse, and use it strategically to highlight promising initial progress or favorable conditions. Finally, consider using semantically similar phrases like "made a promising start" or "started promisingly" to ensure variety and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a promising start

Highlights the potential and expectation set by the initial phase.

started promisingly

Highlights the potential for future success from the beginning.

begun favorably

Focuses on the advantageous nature of the beginning.

launched well

Suggests a smooth and effective beginning.

initiated successfully

Focuses on the accomplishment aspect of the initial phase.

kicked off well

Informal and emphasizes a strong, energetic start.

had a good kickoff

Uses a more informal and dynamic term for beginning, 'kickoff'.

got off on the right foot

Idiomatic expression indicating a positive start in relationships or endeavors.

commenced auspiciously

Emphasizes the favorable and fortunate nature of the start.

began on a high note

Implies a positive and uplifting start, often used for events or performances.

FAQs

How can I use "off to a nice start" in a sentence?

You can use "off to a nice start" to describe the beginning of a project, a game, or any endeavor that has begun positively. For example, "The project is "off to a nice start", with all initial milestones achieved ahead of schedule."

What are some alternatives to "off to a nice start"?

Alternatives include phrases like "made a promising start", "begun favorably", or "started promisingly", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "off to a nice start" formal or informal?

"Off to a nice start" is generally considered neutral, leaning towards informal. It's suitable for most conversational and news contexts but might be too casual for highly formal writing, where alternatives like "commenced auspiciously" would be more appropriate.

What does it mean to say something is "off to a nice start"?

Saying something is ""off to a nice start"" means it has begun in a positive or promising way, suggesting favorable initial progress or conditions. It implies that the beginning stages have been successful or have shown good potential for future success.