start of summer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start of summer" is correct and is usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are wanting to indicate the beginning of summer - for example, "I am looking forward to the start of summer and the warm weather it will bring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The unofficial start of summer is upon us, and when we think of summer, we think about "The O.C".

Huffington Post

"Come celebrate the start of Summer with color..

The Washington Post

All this, and the start of summer is still nearly two weeks away.

The New York Times

River flows at the start of summer peak earlier than they did 30 years ago5.

Nature

U.S.-led talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators collapsed before the start of summer.

The Washington Post

And, finally, to toast the sentimental -- though not official -- start of summer, a sparkling drink.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was her first start of 2009.

The New York Times - Sports

She switched at the start of 2011.

The Guardian - Sport

Made his first start of 2008.

The New York Times

Kate joined the University Planned Giving team at the start of 2017.

Harvard University

The ban took effect at the start of this year.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of regional differences. The meteorological and astronomical starts of summer differ, so specify if needed (e.g., "the astronomical start of summer").

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone shares the same understanding of when summer starts. While many unofficially mark Memorial Day as the start, the astronomical start is tied to the summer solstice. Be clear about which date you're referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start of summer" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates the commencement or beginning of the summer season. The phrase is widely understood and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start of summer" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the beginning of the summer season. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its frequency is high, especially in news and media contexts, indicating broad public understanding. While "start of summer" is generally suitable, considering context and formality levels can enhance writing. Remember, while Memorial Day serves as an unofficial marker for many, the astronomical start is tied to the summer solstice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning of summer season

Replaces "start" with "beginning" and adds "season" for emphasis.

onset of summer

Substitutes "start" with "onset", implying the commencement of summer.

advent of summer

Replaces "start" with "advent", indicating the arrival of summer.

commencement of summer

Uses "commencement" instead of "start", suggesting a formal beginning.

outset of summer

Replaces "start" with "outset", indicating the initial stage of summer.

dawn of summer

Employs "dawn" to evoke the fresh beginning of summer.

kickoff to summer

Uses "kickoff" to signify the informal beginning or launch of summer activities.

summer's inception

Replaces "start" with the more formal term "inception".

initiation of summer

Substitutes "start" with "initiation", implying the formal introduction of the summer period.

first days of summer

Focuses on the initial period of summer rather than the specific starting point.

FAQs

What is the official date for the "start of summer"?

The official start of summer, astronomically speaking, is marked by the summer solstice, which typically falls around June 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. However, some people consider Memorial Day in the United States as the unofficial "start of summer".

What can I say instead of "start of summer"?

You can use alternatives like "beginning of summer season", "onset of summer", or "advent of summer" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "start to summer"?

While grammatically understandable, "start to summer" is not as common or idiomatic as ""start of summer"". The latter is the preferred phrasing.

What's the difference between "start of summer" and "summer solstice"?

The ""start of summer"" is a general term for the beginning of the summer season, while the summer solstice is a specific astronomical event marking the day with the longest period of daylight, which is considered the astronomical start of summer.