start of term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start of term" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the beginning of an academic term or semester in educational contexts. Example: "Students are excited for the start of term, as it brings new classes and opportunities to learn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It shut down nine days before the start of term.

The Guardian

By the start of term, there was a war on.

The Guardian - Books

Rehearse saying no Think about the things that may derail you at the start of term.

The Guardian

Back in Ariel, students are hurrying between classes at the start of term.

The Guardian

Coming just days before the start of term, the inpact on incoming students will be considerable.

The Guardian

At the start of term, I was finding it hard to get into studying.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

I remember taking back to him a start-of-term "collections" essay for him to tell me what he had written on it.

The Guardian

The start-of-term assembly came during a turbulent few weeks for Wellington academy, the comprehensive in rural Wiltshire that has become a test case for the potential of state-private links.

The Guardian

It wasn't some geeky start-of-term blow-out – we had gathered to make hundreds of placards ahead of the Science is Vital rally, a protest aimed at persuading the government to stave off swingeing cuts to the science budget.

The Guardian

Parents and pupils protested about the start-of-term crackdown at Hartsdown academy, where children were sent home for breaches of the uniform code including having the wrong shoes, the wrong trousers, no blazer, a gold buckle on a shoe and frills on socks.

The Guardian

The students and instructors were asked to complete both a start-of-term and end-of-term survey.

International Journal of STEM Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about academic schedules, use "start of term" to clearly indicate the beginning of a teaching period, ensuring students and staff understand key deadlines and events.

Common error

Avoid assuming all terms are of equal length. Specify "start of term" alongside term dates to prevent confusion, especially in institutions with varying academic calendars.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start of term" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves to identify the beginning of an academic session. As seen in Ludwig, it is used to describe events, preparations, or conditions associated with this period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start of term" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase referring to the beginning of an academic session. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic settings. Its purpose is to provide a clear temporal reference, and it maintains a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure you specify dates or related deadlines to avoid ambiguity. It is important not to use the Oxford Comma.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

new term's commencement

Reorders the original phrase, emphasizing "new term".

academic term's beginning

More descriptive, specifying "academic term".

beginning of the academic year

Focuses on the yearly cycle rather than a specific term.

semester opening

Highlights the opening of a specific semester.

first day of school

Simple and direct, often used in primary or secondary education contexts.

start of the school session

Uses "school session" instead of "term".

commencement of studies

More formal and emphasizes the initiation of academic work.

resumption of classes

Highlights the restart of classes after a break.

term kickoff

Informal and emphasizes the start or beginning.

inauguration of the semester

Very formal, emphasizes an official start or beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "start of term" in a sentence?

You can use "start of term" to refer to the beginning of a school or university semester. For example: "Universities provide hardship loans to see students through the "start of term"."

What is another way to say "start of term"?

Alternatives to "start of term" include "beginning of the academic year", "commencement of studies", or "first day of school", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the term starts" instead of "start of term"?

Yes, "the term starts" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "start of term". The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. "Start of term" is more often used as a noun phrase modifying something else.

What preparations should I make before the "start of term"?

Before the "start of term", ensure you have completed registration, secured accommodation, arranged funding, and familiarized yourself with the course syllabus and campus resources. Registering with a new GP and booking an appointment at the "start of term" to discuss any support that you'd like may also be beneficial.