rough beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

"rough beginning" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a difficult or challenging start to any situation, event, or journey. For example, "We had a rough beginning, but we finally managed to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

A rough beginning, but it's not going to get me down.

The New York Times

"We had a rough beginning, but the problems were eventually smoothed out," he said.

The New York Times

He gave up three runs and five hits in six innings, a fine pitching line, given his rough beginning.

The New York Times - Sports

Rusch found some comfort in his effectiveness after a rough beginning, a trait he has shown before this year.

The New York Times - Sports

The 7,203-square-foot 7,203-square-foot 7,203-square-foot lawnonn, on top noftheplaza, alonewWest 65th Strestaurant a rough beginning.

The New York Times - Arts

Even with the somewhat rough beginning to the round of panels, the charms of the Starz casts and crew colored it all beautifully.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

On the tour, the difference between success and failure can be harder to judge than where the fairway ends and the first cut of rough begins.

The New York Times - Sports

It was pretty rough to begin with.

The Guardian - Sport

And by nightfall, even the perilous rough had begun to dry out.

The New York Times - Sports

The Rough fire began on 31 July at approximately 7pm because of lightning.

The Guardian

Francis' immediate march to the papacy, to draw a rough analogy, began with the all-inclusive meetings of cardinals called congregations that occurred before the conclave.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation that improved over time, use "rough beginning" to highlight the initial difficulties and contrast them with later progress.

Common error

Avoid using "rough beginning" when you mean to describe a difficult conclusion or end to something. The phrase specifically refers to the initial phase. Use "rough ending" or "difficult conclusion" instead when describing the end of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough beginning" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show it describing the initial phase of various events or situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rough beginning" is a commonly used phrase to describe a difficult or challenging start. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources. Consider alternatives like "difficult start" or "challenging start" to add variety to your writing. Be mindful to use this phrase when referring specifically to the start of something and not its conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult start

Replaces "rough" with "difficult", emphasizing the challenging nature of the beginning.

challenging start

Similar to "difficult start", but highlights the demanding aspect of the beginning.

rocky start

Uses "rocky" as a metaphor for a start filled with obstacles and difficulties.

problematic start

Highlights the presence of problems and issues from the very beginning.

tumultuous start

Emphasizes the chaotic and disruptive nature of the initial period.

unpromising start

Focuses on the lack of positive signs or indicators at the beginning.

inauspicious start

Similar to "unpromising start", but suggests that the beginning was unfavorable or unlucky.

unfavorable start

Highlights that the beginning was not advantageous or positive.

bumpy initiation

This suggests a start marked by instability and unevenness.

turbulent inception

Emphasizes the presence of disturbance, conflict or lack of stability at the beginning of something.

FAQs

How can I use "rough beginning" in a sentence?

You can use "rough beginning" to describe a challenging or difficult start to something. For example, "The project had a "rough beginning", but it eventually became successful."

What are some alternatives to "rough beginning"?

Some alternatives to "rough beginning" include "difficult start", "challenging start", or "rocky start".

Is "rough beginning" formal or informal?

"Rough beginning" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from alternatives such as "problematic start" or "unpromising start".

What does it mean when something has a "rough beginning"?

It means that the initial stages of something were difficult, challenging, or marked by problems. It suggests that overcoming these initial difficulties was necessary for later success or improvement.