start at the earliest

USAGE SUMMARY

"start at the earliest" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to begin as soon as possible or at the earliest possible time. You can use it when you want to emphasize the urgency or importance of starting something at the earliest possible time. Example: "Please start working on the project at the earliest. We have a tight deadline to meet." Another example: "The event will start at the earliest at 9 am, so please arrive on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And the lessons should start at the earliest ages possible.

The New York Times

B1 OBITUARIES A33 SPORTS D1-8 DINING F1-16 ARTS E1-10 New Guggenheim Project Mayor Giuliani, the architect Frank O. Gehry and Guggenheim officials said many hurdles had to be cleared before construction of the museum's $678 million East River project could start, at the earliest in two years.

The New York Times

And that has to start at the earliest possible age.

The New York Times

Anderson notes, "this is why I am in business, to find people like Kevin, to start at the earliest of stages".

TechCrunch

The data showed that racial disparities in out-of-school suspensions start at the earliest stages of the educational process.

Huffington Post

"We know -- and this is part of the reason why we're here today -- that education has to start at the earliest possible ages," Obama said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They start at the early beginnings, then they show the Nirvana air fresheners and grunge pencil set.

The New York Times - Arts

It is best to start at the early stages rather than wait until one has adjusted to a quieter world.

The New York Times

On Saturday a special Football Focus will start at the earlier time of 11 30 BST, with a transfer round-up at the start of the show covering the main moves on deadline day with guests Mark Lawrenson and Martin Keown.

BBC

Although the fibroproliferative phase of ALI has been regarded as a late event, there is some evidence that it can start at the early stages [ 5, 6].

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Longitudinal studies are also needed to further understand the predictive value of sedentary behaviours and physical activity over the course of the disease, and whether preventive strategies should start at the early stages of disease development.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start at the earliest" when you want to emphasize the importance of beginning something as soon as possible to maximize efficiency or minimize potential delays.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "start at the earliest" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler phrases like "start as soon as possible" or "start right away".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start at the earliest" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when an action should begin. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is used to emphasize the importance of beginning something without delay.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "start at the earliest" is grammatically correct and serves as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, emphasizing the importance of beginning an action without delay. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing examples from various sources. While its usage is most common in neutral and professional contexts, such as news media, science, and business, it may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Therefore, when aiming for conciseness or informality, simpler alternatives like "start as soon as possible" or "start right away" might be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin at the earliest opportunity

Replaces "start" with "begin" and uses "opportunity" for a slightly more formal tone.

commence at the earliest time

Substitutes "start" with "commence" and "time" for a more formal and precise tone.

initiate at the earliest date

Uses "initiate" instead of "start" and "date" for a more formal feel, suitable for official contexts.

launch at the earliest chance

Substitutes "start" with "launch" and "chance" to emphasize seizing an opportunity.

kick off at the earliest moment

Replaces "start" with the more informal "kick off", suitable for less formal contexts.

get underway at the earliest convenience

Uses "get underway" instead of "start" and "convenience" focusing on ease of commencement.

set in motion at the earliest possibility

Replaces "start" with "set in motion", emphasizing the beginning of a process.

take off at the earliest juncture

Uses "take off" instead of "start", implying a rapid or energetic beginning and juncture is more formal.

spring into action at the earliest instance

Replaces "start" with "spring into action", suggesting immediate and energetic action.

embark at the earliest occasion

Uses "embark" instead of "start", suitable when referring to beginning a journey or endeavor.

FAQs

How can I use "start at the earliest" in a sentence?

You can use "start at the earliest" to emphasize the urgency or importance of beginning something as soon as possible. For example, "We should "start at the earliest" to meet the deadline."

What phrases are similar to "start at the earliest"?

Alternatives include "begin as soon as possible", "commence immediately", or "initiate promptly". Consider phrases like "begin at the earliest opportunity" for a slightly more formal tone.

Is "start at the earliest" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "start at the earliest" is suitable for formal writing when you want to emphasize the importance of beginning something without delay. However, consider the specific context and audience to ensure it fits the overall tone.

Can I use "start at the earliest" in spoken English?

While grammatically correct, "start at the earliest" might sound somewhat formal in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "start as soon as possible" or "start right away" may be more appropriate in informal settings.