signaled the start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "signaled the start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the beginning of an event, process, or action. Example: "The fireworks signaled the start of the New Year celebrations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That signaled the start of the onslaught.

The New York Times - Sports

The meeting signaled the start of a wider inquiry into the campaign's abuses.

The New York Times

Granderson's return signaled the start of what the Yankees hope will be normalcy.

The New York Times - Sports

The Easter Rising signaled the start of the republican revolution in Ireland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today's maneuvering signaled the start of a battle over renewal of the 1996 welfare law.

The New York Times

She said her New York victory signaled the start of good things.

The New York Times - Sports

The announcement signaled the start of a generational shift for the three major anchor positions.

The New York Times

"Ready Player One" takes its title, sentimentally, from the phrase that signaled the start of games from that era.

The New York Times - Books

Taylor's arrival signaled the start of the Mexican War, which began in earnest after the Thornton Skirmish (April 25 , 1846.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1956 John Osborne's Look Back in Anger forcefully signaled the start of a very different dramatic tradition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Hu was in Turkmenistan to turn the valve, which signaled the start of gas being transported along the pipeline.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to add emphasis to what specifically kicked off an event, it is appropriate to use the phrase "signaled the start".

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "signaled the start" in casual conversation or informal writing can make your language sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "began" or "started" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "signaled the start" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement or beginning of an event, action, or process. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "signaled the start" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the commencement of an event or process. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it's prevalent in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. While appropriate for formal and neutral registers, simpler alternatives might be preferable in casual conversation. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize a specific indicator of a beginning, and be mindful of its potential for overuse in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicated the beginning

Replaces "signaled" with "indicated" and "start" with "beginning", maintaining a similar meaning.

signified the launch

Replaces "start" with "launch", implying a more deliberate or planned beginning.

marked the commencement

Substitutes "signaled" with "marked" and "start" with "commencement", offering a more formal tone.

heralded the onset

Replaces the entire phrase with "heralded the onset", implying a more significant or impactful beginning.

announced the initiation

Uses "announced" instead of "signaled" and "initiation" in place of "start", changing the tone slightly.

represented the kickoff

Employs "represented" instead of "signaled" and uses the more informal term "kickoff" for start.

Inaugurated the

Formal version with similar intentions.

Set in motion

Construction more focused on the actions that follows that "the start".

Commenced with

Shortens the construction avoiding the word "signaled".

Began

Simpler word.

FAQs

How can I use "signaled the start" in a sentence?

Use "signaled the start" to indicate the commencement of an event, process, or action. For example, "The fireworks "signaled the start" of the New Year celebrations."

What can I say instead of "signaled the start"?

You can use alternatives like "indicated the beginning", "marked the commencement", or "heralded the onset" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "signaled the start" or "signaled the beginning"?

Both phrases are correct and convey a similar meaning. "Signaled the start" is slightly more common, but "signaled the beginning" is also perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "signaled the start" and "initiated the start"?

While similar, ""signaled the start"" implies that something acted as a sign or indication of the beginning, whereas "initiated the start" suggests a more active role in causing the beginning to happen.