revert to the beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "revert to the beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to return to the starting point of a process or discussion. Example: "If you encounter any issues, please revert to the beginning of the manual and follow the steps again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Revert to the beginning.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If the evolution leads to the initiation of RLOF during the trial timestep, both the orbit and stellar evolution are reverted to the beginning of the timestep.

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

Follow Allegra Ringo on Twitter.

Vice

And even if stocks begin to "revert to the mean," it doesn't mean the market will necessarily post average or above-average gains in the subsequent decade.

The New York Times

Interestingly, the post-translational status of HSF1 had begun to revert to the inactive condition, further supporting the idea that HSP gene transcription had been repressed by 4 h post-dosing.

Human Molecular Genetics

"Reverting to a Wild State" is told in an unconventional manner: it starts at the end and proceeds to the beginning.

The New Yorker

If the developer does not begin construction by February, the land will revert to the county.

The New York Times

Profits revert to the state treasury.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They decided to revert to the pirate theme.

Huffington Post

If the jury deadlocks, sentencing could revert to the judge.

Huffington Post

Chrome will revert to the default theme.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "revert to the beginning" in technical documentation, provide clear instructions on how to access the initial state or configuration. This helps users easily troubleshoot issues.

Common error

Avoid using "revert to the beginning" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "return to the initial phase" or "restart the process" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "revert to the beginning" functions as an instructional phrase, guiding someone to return to an initial state or starting point. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase encourages one to go back to the first step.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

27%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "revert to the beginning" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that instructs a return to the initial stage of a process or narrative. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general instructions. While its register is generally neutral, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "return to the initial phase". The phrase is frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts, with authoritative sources such as The New York Times and Wikipedia providing examples of its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to the start

Focuses on the action of going back to the initial point, emphasizing the starting position.

go back to square one

Emphasizes restarting a process or plan due to failure or lack of progress.

start over from scratch

Highlights rebuilding something completely from its basic elements.

begin anew

Suggests a fresh start with a sense of renewal or change.

retrace one's steps

Implies going back to a previous action or decision to correct a mistake.

reset to default settings

Indicates restoring a system or device to its original, pre-configured state.

rewind to the initial state

Metaphorically suggests returning to the original condition, similar to rewinding a recording.

go back to the drawing board

Implies reconsidering and redesigning a plan or idea from its conceptual stage.

resume from the origin

Emphasizes continuing a process from its starting point after an interruption.

recapitulate from the outset

Suggests summarizing or restating information from the very beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "revert to the beginning" in a sentence?

You can use "revert to the beginning" to instruct someone to return to the starting point of a process or narrative. For example, "If the program crashes, "revert to the beginning" and try again".

What's a more formal way to say "revert to the beginning"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "return to the initial stage", "restart the procedure", or "recommence from the starting point" as alternatives to "revert to the beginning".

When is it appropriate to use "revert to the beginning"?

It's appropriate to use "revert to the beginning" when you want to clearly indicate a return to the initial phase of an action, process, or story. It is best used when simplifying potentially complex instructions.

What is the difference between "revert to the beginning" and "start from scratch"?

"Revert to the beginning" implies going back to the original starting point, while "start from scratch" suggests completely rebuilding or redoing something, potentially discarding previous work.