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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
outset working
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "outset working" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to refer to the beginning phase of a project or task, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "At the outset working on this project, we encountered several challenges that needed to be addressed."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
From the outset working with start-ups has been an important part of the business and Cribb in some cases offer "consulting for equity" arrangements to particularly promising start-ups wishing to recruit top-level talent whilst conserving cash.
News & Media
From he outset working with start-ups has been an important part of the business and Cribb in some cases offer "consulting for equity" arrangements to particularly promising start-ups wishing to recruit top-level talent whilst conserving cash.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
At the outset, work out what sort of numbering system is to be used.
Wiki
Clarify who owns the problem and solution, agree roles and responsibilities at the outset, work to common goals and use shared language.
Science
Cornett decided from the outset to work with the food and drink industry.
News & Media
From the outset, English worked anonymously, refusing to sign his work and modifying up to 15 billboards a week.
News & Media
To this end, they must buy business applications that have been engineered from the outset to work together.
News & Media
"The plan is the same as it's been from the outset – to work with the ministry of culture to seize the house on the grounds that historic preservation laws were violated, and if that plan fails to raise the money to purchase the house from the developer," she states on the campaign website.
News & Media
Designers are given certain requirements at the outset to work such as: bottle design, including neck finish, weight, application such as water, carbonated soft drink (CSD), or personal care, and process (single or two-stage).
Science
Also in January Facebook published a set of privacy principles — including grand claims that: "We help people understand how their data is used"; "We design privacy into our products from the outset"; "We work hard to keep your information secure"; "You own and can delete your information"; and "We are accountable".
News & Media
A methodical framework for sustainability was adopted at the outset — partnerships worked closely with governments, the evidence base generated will be robust, and African leadership has been promoted.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Instead of using the phrase "outset working", use more grammatically correct alternatives like "at the outset of working" or "when beginning work" for clarity.
Common error
Avoid using "outset working" as it's not a standard English phrase. Instead, opt for established expressions like "at the beginning of the work" or "early phase of employment" to maintain clarity and credibility.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "outset working" is grammatically questionable. The word 'outset' functions as a noun referring to the beginning of something. Combining it directly with "working" is not standard English and often requires a prepositional phrase to connect them correctly. Ludwig AI highlights this issue.
Frequent in
News & Media
66%
Wiki
17%
Science
17%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "outset working" is not a standard or grammatically correct English phrase. While "outset" refers to the beginning, directly combining it with "working" creates an awkward construction. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase lacks clarity and proper structure. It appears infrequently, primarily in news and media contexts, though even there, its usage is questionable. Instead, it's advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives such as "at the outset of work" or "when beginning work" to ensure clear and effective communication. It's important to remember that though some sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, do use this phrase, its usage is inconsistent and of questionable authority.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
beginning work
Emphasizes the action of starting employment or labor.
starting employment
Focuses on the initiation of a job or career.
commencing work
Suggests a more formal initiation of a task or project.
initial work
Highlights the preliminary tasks or efforts.
early work
Refers to work done in the initial stages of a project.
at the start of working
Adds a prepositional phrase to specify the beginning of the working period.
from the beginning of working
Similar to the previous, but with 'from' indicating a starting point.
when beginning to work
Indicates a conditional phrase related to the action of starting work.
upon starting work
Similar to "when beginning to work" but more formal.
initiating labor
Focuses on the formal commencement of work or labor.
FAQs
How can I properly use "outset" in a sentence related to work?
You can say "at the outset of the project" or "from the outset, we planned to..." to correctly use "outset" when referring to the beginning of a work activity.
What is a grammatically correct alternative to "outset working"?
Instead of "outset working", use alternatives like "beginning work", "starting work", or "at the outset of work".
Is "outset working" considered formal or informal language?
The phrase "outset working" is not considered proper English. Therefore, it is not appropriate for either formal or informal contexts. Use grammatically correct alternatives such as "early stages of work" or "initial phase of work".
Can I use "outset working" in professional communication?
No, it is best to avoid "outset working" in professional communication. Opt for phrases like "at the beginning of work" or "when work starts" to ensure clarity and professionalism.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested