since the outset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "since the outset" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that has been ongoing since the start or beginning of something. For example: "Since the outset of the pandemic, the government has enacted numerous safety and health measures to keep citizens safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Potential growth has fallen significantly since the outset of the crisis," it said.

The New York Times

Porter had served since the outset of Trump's presidency, making him among the longest-serving people to leave.

The Washington Post

Stottlemyre has been his pitching coach since the outset of the 1996 season, working closely with the left-hander.

The New York Times - Sports

"I have since the outset tried to find funds to purchase the kits to do the ancestry testing, which really resonated with the students," he said.

Cornell University

The government has condemned all violence since the outset and has taken all alleged human-rights violations by state security forces very seriously.

The Economist

I've been a fan of Nicholson Baker since the outset of his career, so I was particularly thrilled to find myself in his world.

The New Yorker

Hewlett-Packard, led by the company's chief executive, Meg Whitman, has proceeded with a feisty certainty since the outset of this spat.

The New York Times

"Since the outset, everybody has been guarding against a slide towards a sectarian war, which does not distinguish between Christians and Muslims.

The New York Times

Liverpool Studio has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since the outset of PlayStation, and have contributed greatly to PlayStation over the years.

Independent

The Park Police chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police has declined to defend the officers publicly, refusing all requests for comment since the outset of the case.

The Washington Post

Since the outset of the administration, officials have said they intended to replace the Clean Power Plan because the EPA exceeded its legal authority in crafting the policy.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "since the outset" to clearly indicate that a situation or condition has been present from the very beginning of a specific period or event. This helps establish a timeline and provides context for subsequent information.

Common error

Avoid using "since the outset" if you're referring to a point that isn't the true beginning. Ensure the event or situation genuinely began at the specified starting point; otherwise, use a more appropriate phrase like "from an early stage".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since the outset" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a time frame. It modifies a clause by specifying when a certain state of affairs began. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "since the outset" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a starting point or the beginning of a period or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct to use in writing. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, serving to establish a clear timeline. While there are many synonymous phrases such as "from the beginning", "from the start", or "from day one", it's important to use them correctly, as well as not to misunderstand the timeframe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since the beginning

Direct synonym, mirroring the structure and emphasis of "since the outset".

from the beginning

Emphasizes the entire duration from the initial point, broader in scope.

from the start

Similar to "from the beginning", but may imply a more immediate initial action.

from its inception

Highlights the initial creation or establishment of something.

since the commencement

More formal and emphasizes the official start or initiation of something.

since its foundation

Refers to the establishment or founding of an organization or idea.

since its origination

Focuses on the point where something first came into being.

from the initiation

Highlights the very act of starting or initiating something.

from day one

Informal and emphasizes consistency from the very first day.

from the get-go

An informal idiom emphasizing the immediate start and continuation from that point.

FAQs

How can I use "since the outset" in a sentence?

You can use "since the outset" to indicate that something has been true or has occurred continuously from the very beginning of a particular event or period. For example, "Since the outset of the project, we have faced several challenges".

What are some alternatives to "since the outset"?

Alternatives to "since the outset" include phrases like "from the beginning", "from the start", or "from day one", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to use "since the outset" or "since the beginning"?

"Since the outset" and "since the beginning" are largely interchangeable. "Since the outset" may sound slightly more formal, but both convey the same meaning of something being true from the very start.

What's the difference between "since the outset" and "at the outset"?

"Since the outset" indicates a duration or period of time starting from the beginning, whereas "at the outset" simply refers to the point of beginning. For example, "Since the outset, the team has worked hard" versus "At the outset, we planned to finish the project by July".