start of month

USAGE SUMMARY

"start of month" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to the beginning of each month, so it can be used at any time. For example, "I'll check my budget at the start of the month to make sure I'm still within my spending limit."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Still, while many "sell in May" fans immediately banked substantial profits this year after the market slumped at the start of month one, those who held on may end up backing a loser, with the FTSE closing on Friday 55 points higher than its starting point in May.

The Guardian - Business

Assessments were performed at scheduled visits (screening; baseline; start of month 2; start of month 4; and end of month 6).

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

The primary efficacy measure was continuous abstinence from smoking for 2 years from the start of month 24 to the end of month30.

BMC Family Practice

At the start of month three, one additional site will be released for enrollment to bring the estimated accrual rate to four participants per month.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Section 1 will record symptoms from the day intervention is delivered until the end of month 2; section 2 from the start of month 3 until the end of month 6; and section 3 from the start of month 7 until the end of month 12.

BMJ Open

Patients showed response to treatment as early as the start of month 2 (after only one injection of subcutaneous golimumab) and had steady improvement in several measures of disease control over 6 months of treatment.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Start of September, dates TBC.

The Guardian - Travel

Out worldwide at the start of July.

The Guardian - Film

Since the start of July it has gained almost 5 percent.

The New York Times

At the start of September, 35,000 families were on welfare.

The Economist

Since the start of July it has declined by 27%.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase without the article primarily in technical, scientific or list-based contexts where brevity is prioritized.

Common error

Avoid dropping the definite article in narrative or formal prose. While 'start of month' is common in data logs or medical protocols, writing 'The project begins at start of month' sounds telegraphic and informal compared to 'The project begins at the start of the month'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start of month" serves as a temporal noun phrase, typically functioning as the object of a preposition (usually 'at' or 'since'). According to Ludwig AI, it acts as a specific time marker to denote the initial phase of a recurring 30-day period.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "start of month" is a precise and functional phrase widely used in professional and scientific communication. While it often appears with a specific number in technical protocols (e.g., "start of month" 3), Ludwig examples show its versatility across high-authority news sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. For general writing, adding the definite article to say "the start of the month" is recommended for better flow. However, in its concise form, it remains a correct and efficient way to anchor events in time, particularly when documenting sequences or recurring schedules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning of the month

Uses a more common noun with the definite article for smoother flow

first of the month

Often refers specifically to the first day of the calendar month

month start

A compound noun form common in technical or software contexts

month's start

Uses the possessive form to link the time to the period

early in the month

Suggests a time range rather than a specific starting point

commencement of the month

Highly formal and often found in legal or official documentation

outset of the month

Slightly more literary alternative for the start

opening of the month

Common in financial contexts like the opening of markets

initial days of the month

Specifically emphasizes the first few days of the period

inception of the month

Focuses on the abstract concept of the month beginning

FAQs

Is it correct to say "start of month" without "the"?

Yes, it is correct and often used in scientific or technical contexts like "start of month 2", though in standard prose, "the start of the month" is more natural.

What can I say instead of "start of month" in a formal report?

You can use more formal options such as "commencement of the month" or "at the outset of the month".

Which is more common, "start of month" or "beginning of month"?

Both are widely used, but "beginning of the month" is slightly more frequent in general English according to Ludwig data.

How do I use "start of month" in a sentence?

It is typically used to mark time, for example: 'Assessments were performed at the "start of month" 4' or 'I will send the invoice at the "start of next month"'.