onset of winter

USAGE SUMMARY

"onset of winter" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically refers to the beginning of winter and can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: "The onset of winter has brought colder temperatures and more snow to the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

(The second panel, "The Onset of Winter," went up in 2005).

The New York Times - Arts

But the onset of winter could work against them.

The Economist

This must be done before the onset of winter.

The Economist

The onset of winter will make large-scale military operations much more difficult.

The Guardian

The final, unforeseen oppressor is also seen in all its unremitting glory: the onset of winter.

The New York Times

Hospitals are at 100% capacity at the moment – and the onset of winter could be a nightmare.

The Guardian - Opinion

Providing food for the Afghans was generally acknowledged as a major priority, especially with the onset of winter.

The New York Times

In summer months, Updike was indeed "Mr Sunshine", but with the onset of winter his psoriasis flourished again.

The Guardian - Books

He has been relaying concerns about water shortages, overcrowding and the onset of winter in Twitter updates from the camp.

The Guardian

Landvogt said there was a 50-500 chance" of a La Niña weather pattern forming with the onset of winter.

The Guardian

Andrei Lysenko, a national security council spokesman, said the rebels would be defeated before the onset of winter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing seasonal impacts, particularly in reports or analyses, use "onset of winter" to clearly denote the commencement of the season and its subsequent effects.

Common error

Avoid using "onset of winter" to describe the entire winter season. "Onset" specifically refers to the beginning. Instead, use phrases like "during winter" or "throughout the winter" to describe events happening later in the season.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "onset of winter" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI points out, it refers to the beginning of the winter season. The examples in Ludwig show how it is often used to introduce a discussion about the impacts or preparations related to the change in season.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "onset of winter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that signifies the beginning of the winter season. As Ludwig AI states, its primary function is to mark the start of winter, often in contexts discussing related impacts and preparations. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse contexts ranging from news and media to scientific discussions. While the phrase is generally straightforward, it's important to remember that it refers specifically to the beginning of winter, not the entire season. Alternatives such as "beginning of winter" or "advent of winter" can be used to add variety, although Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's widespread acceptance and applicability across various authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

winter's onset

Inverts the structure but retains the same core meaning.

beginning of winter

Emphasizes the start of the winter season using a more general term.

start of winter

A more concise and common way to express the commencement of winter.

advent of winter

Uses a more formal term ("advent") to denote the arrival of winter.

winter's arrival

Shifts the focus to winter itself as the subject, emphasizing its coming.

approach of winter

Highlights the period leading up to winter, rather than the exact start.

coming of winter

Similar to "winter's arrival" but uses "coming" to express the approach.

early winter

Focuses on the initial period of winter, implying it has already begun.

the turn of the season to winter

A more descriptive and elaborate way to express the change to winter.

winter initiation

Uses a more technical or scientific term for the beginning of winter.

FAQs

How can I use "onset of winter" in a sentence?

You can use "onset of winter" to describe the beginning of the winter season and its immediate effects. For example, "The "onset of winter" brought freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall."

What are some alternatives to saying "onset of winter"?

Alternatives include "beginning of winter", "start of winter", or "advent of winter", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "in the onset of winter"?

While grammatically understandable, it's more common and natural to say "at the "onset of winter"" or simply "with the "onset of winter"".

What is the difference between "onset of winter" and "winter solstice"?

"Onset of winter" refers to the general beginning of the winter season, while "winter solstice" marks the specific day with the shortest period of daylight, typically occurring in late December.