outset of the week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outset of the week" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the beginning or start of the week, typically Monday. Example: "At the outset of the week, we will hold a team meeting to discuss our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At the outset of the week in which the youth ranks of the Premier League elite are again put to the test in the Carling Cup quarter-finals, Sir Alex Ferguson has launched an impassioned defence of his prodigies and warned those who have written them off that they have repeated the same error Alan Hansen made 14 years ago.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The triumph capped a stunning reversal of fortune for the champion, who nine days earlier had found himself on the brink of a humiliation practically unthinkable at the outset of the three-week match.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, reaction to the American gambit was mixed, with many leaders in Europe expressing disappointment that Mr. Obama planned only a brief appearance near the outset of the two-week negotiations in Copenhagen and that the planned emissions reductions were, by most measures, rather modest.

The New York Times

At the outset of "Last Week Tonight," the studio audience cheers wildly, and it laughs reliably throughout.

The New Yorker

At the outset of the campaign three weeks ago, 70percentt of Britons polled opposed exchanging the pound for the euro.

The New York Times

At the outset of the campaign three weeks ago, undecided voters made up almost a third of the electorate, and may prove crucial if turnout is high.

The Guardian - Opinion

TIFFIN, Iowa — At the outset of a crucial week in the presidential campaign, the Republican candidates are increasingly turning on one another as they try to overcome their own weaknesses and capitalize on the vulnerabilities of President Obama.

The New York Times

The forthrightness of his statement at the outset of two weeks of talks between 194 countries has caused consternation among the G77 (the informal alliance of developing nations).

Independent

Still, the subject of what was called, with a late-Victorian delicacy, "cruelties" by U.S. troops arose a few days into the hearings, at the outset of three weeks' testimony by William Howard Taft.

The New Yorker

- For consistency with observed vaccine coverage rates, we assumed that vaccination started 4 weeks after the outset of the epidemic and increased linearly over the next 7 weeks.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Dietetic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were collected at the outset of the study and again 2 and 6 weeks into the program in both groups.

Nutrition Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outset of the week", ensure the context is clear and that it refers specifically to the beginning of the week, typically Monday. Avoid using it interchangeably with phrases that refer to specific days or periods within the week.

Common error

Avoid assuming "outset of the week" covers the entire first half or several days of the week. Be precise; it refers to the very beginning. For broader periods, use phrases like 'early in the week'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outset of the week" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating when something occurs. Ludwig provides examples showing its use to specify the timing of events or actions in relation to the beginning of the week.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outset of the week" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the beginning of the week, typically Monday. While correct, Ludwig indicates it's less common than alternatives like "beginning of the week" or "start of the week". It appears in various contexts, including news, science, and business, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure it distinctly refers to the week's start. For broader timeframes, consider using "early in the week". Overall, while usable, weigh its formality and clarity against simpler alternatives to best suit your writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning of the week

This phrase is a more common and straightforward way to express the same idea.

start of the week

Similar to 'beginning of the week', this alternative uses 'start' instead of 'outset' or 'beginning'.

early part of the week

This phrase specifies that it is referring to the initial days of the week.

at the week's commencement

Using 'commencement' provides a more formal tone compared to "outset of the week".

as the week begins

This alternative uses a slightly different sentence structure to convey the same meaning.

in the initial days of the week

This option is more descriptive, specifying 'initial days' instead of a general 'outset'.

upon the week's inception

The word 'inception' adds a more sophisticated and less common tone.

with the dawning of the week

This phrase uses more figurative language, evoking the start of a new week.

at the threshold of the week

This option uses 'threshold' to emphasize the entry into a new week.

at week's first light

Employs a more poetic and evocative expression.

FAQs

What does "outset of the week" mean?

The phrase "outset of the week" refers to the beginning or start of the week, usually considered to be Monday. It indicates the initial period when activities or events commence for that week.

How can I use "outset of the week" in a sentence?

You might say, "At the "outset of the week", the team will convene to set priorities", meaning the team will meet at the start of the week to plan their work.

What is a simple alternative to "outset of the week"?

A simpler alternative is "beginning of the week" or "start of the week", which are more commonly used and easily understood.

Is there a difference between "outset of the week" and "early in the week"?

Yes, "outset of the week" refers specifically to the very start, while "early in the week" includes the first few days, not just the immediate beginning.