start a journey

USAGE SUMMARY

"start a journey" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the beginning of a physical journey or an undertaking such as a life-long goal. For example: The day had finally arrived for him to start his journey around the world.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"You'd open a box and start a journey with a person," he says.

The Guardian

Iron Man 3 – 25/03 Robert Downey Jr returns as Tony Stark, who must start a journey of retribution after terrorist the Mandarin destroys his world.

Independent

The simple solution is to start a journey that sees the majority of tickets priced to allow most people the opportunity to afford to get into the ground.

The Guardian - Sport

"They're sea shapes," Mr. Lynn said of the undulating interior, "that start a journey and begin your thinking about the book".

The New York Times

Perhaps it's not the most encouraging sign to start a journey into the world of country music with a blog called Nashville's Dead.

The Guardian - Music

When Google developed its search engine, it probably never thought that it would start a journey toward building digital replicas for individuals.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Keeping the Feast" shares with Julie Powell's "Julie & Julia and Elizabeth Gilbertt's "Eat, Pray, Love" the insight that food can jump-start a journey toward solace.

The New York Times - Books

"WITH two friends I started a journey to Greece, the most horrendous of all journeys.

The Economist

Or, as Zinnie Harris puts it: "Nora's departure started a journey, and it's incumbent on us to keep going".

The Guardian

I started a journey at that stage to do my best to give back everything it had given to me.

The Guardian - Sport

The forest preserves in our county offer that first encounter with nature, starting a journey that can lead all the way to Olympic National Park.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start a journey" when you want to emphasize the beginning of a significant undertaking, whether physical or metaphorical. It suggests a sense of purpose and anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "start a journey" for trivial or very short-lived activities. Reserve it for endeavors that involve significant time, effort, and transformation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "start a journey" is that of a verb phrase, where "start" acts as the main verb and "a journey" serves as its direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and acceptable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start a journey" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate the beginning of a significant endeavor, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its versatility allows it to fit into diverse contexts, from physical travels to personal growth. While synonyms like "begin a voyage" or "embark on a quest" offer nuanced alternatives, the core meaning remains consistent. When using this phrase, ensure the context involves a substantial commitment of time and effort, avoiding its application to trivial activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin a voyage

Replaces "journey" with "voyage", suggesting a more extensive and possibly maritime trip.

embark on a quest

Substitutes "journey" with "quest", implying a challenging or adventurous undertaking.

set out on an adventure

Replaces "start a journey" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing excitement and the unknown.

initiate a process

Changes "journey" to "process", focusing on the systematic nature of the undertaking.

commence a pilgrimage

Replaces "journey" with "pilgrimage", suggesting a trip with religious or spiritual significance.

launch an expedition

Substitutes "journey" with "expedition", highlighting the planned and exploratory nature of the undertaking.

undertake an odyssey

Replaces "journey" with "odyssey", implying a long and eventful series of experiences.

take the first step

Replaces the whole phrase with a more generic metaphor indicating the beginning of something

open a chapter

This is a metaphor, signifying the start of a new phase or period in one's life.

enter a new phase

Focuses on transition into a new stage, possibly less about physical travel.

FAQs

How can I use "start a journey" in a sentence?

You can use "start a journey" to describe the beginning of a physical trip, as in "They planned to start a journey across Europe". It can also describe the beginning of a metaphorical or personal development, such as "She decided to start a journey of self-discovery".

What are some synonyms for "start a journey"?

Alternatives include "begin a voyage", "embark on a quest", or "set out on an adventure", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it better to say "begin a journey" or "start a journey"?

Both "start a journey" and "begin a journey" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "start a journey" and "continue a journey"?

"Start a journey" refers to the initiation of a new undertaking, while "continue a journey" implies resuming or progressing along an existing path. The former signifies a beginning, the latter ongoing progress.