off to a positive start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "off to a positive start" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the beginning of an event, project, or situation that is progressing well or favorably. Example: "After the first week of the project, we are off to a positive start with our initial results exceeding expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It's still early days for the investment team, but they are off to a positive start".

The Guardian - Business

6.03pm GMT 3 min: Newcastle get off to a positive start.

The Guardian - Sport

Trading in U.S. equity index futures suggested Wall Street would get off to a positive start.

The New York Times

"It's the first tournament of the year, and you want to get off to a positive start.

The New York Times - Sports

At least Bloomberg got off to a positive start by declaring New York 'alive and well and open for business'.

The Guardian

McGill recommends doing this on a Friday afternoon to get your students' weekends off to a positive start (or otherwise if need be).

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

To that end, I have a suggestion for the new president and Congress to get off to a positive, bipartisan start.

TechCrunch

See if we couldn't engineer a bit of a turnaround quickly, get off to a really positive start and then revisit those things.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Londoño's campaign, while always a long shot, had gotten off a positive start.

The New York Times

Tony Hall, the Cultural Olympiad chairman, said the take-up of tickets had got off to a "really strong, positive start".

BBC

• If these playoffs were any indication, Holmes is off to a good start reinventing a positive public image.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "off to a positive start" with specific details to showcase the evidence supporting a successful beginning. E.g., "The marketing campaign is off to a positive start, with initial sales exceeding projections by 15%."

Common error

Avoid using "off to a positive start" if you are unsure about the sustainability of the positive momentum. It's best to reserve this phrase for situations where the initial success is likely to continue or has already demonstrated long-term potential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off to a positive start" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the beginning of an event, project, or period that is progressing well. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Sports

21%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "off to a positive start" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is beginning well. Ludwig AI validates this, confirming its usability in both formal and informal contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, sports, and formal business contexts, signaling optimism and positive expectations. While versatile, it’s important to ensure that its use is appropriate for the situation and the level of formality required. Consider alternatives such as "beginning on a positive note" or "starting well" for slight variations in meaning or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning on a positive note

Focuses on the manner of beginning, emphasizing the positive aspect.

starting well

A more concise way to express a successful beginning.

making a promising start

Highlights the potential for future success based on the initial beginning.

launching successfully

Emphasizes the act of starting and its successful execution.

getting off on the right foot

An idiomatic expression indicating a favorable start, particularly in relationships or endeavors.

showing early promise

Focuses on the potential and positive indications from the initial phase.

establishing a strong foundation

Highlights the creation of a solid base for future progress.

achieving initial success

Focuses on the accomplishment of positive outcomes at the beginning.

commencing favorably

A more formal way to describe a positive commencement.

inaugurating auspiciously

Emphasizes a promising and favorable inauguration or beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "off to a positive start" to describe the beginning of an event, project, or period that is progressing well. For example, "The new CEO's tenure is "beginning on a positive note" with increased investor confidence."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "starting well", "making a promising start", or "getting off on the right foot", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "off to a positive start" in formal writing?

Yes, "off to a positive start" is generally appropriate for both formal and informal writing, but for very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "commencing favorably" or "inaugurating auspiciously".

What does it mean when something is "off to a positive start"?

It means that the initial phase of something, such as a project, initiative, or relationship, is progressing well and showing promising signs of success.