start off well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start off well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about beginning something in a positive way or when you want to express your hope that something will go well. For example: "I hope we can start off well on this project and have a successful outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"We didn't start off well," Anya said.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a chance to start off well.

The New York Times - Sports

They expect the player to start off well, and actually help the team eventually.

The New York Times

Many big projects start off well, but then lose momentum and spiral downward as skeptical stakeholders withdraw support.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

– M.T. Shaun Micheel, the 2003 P.G.A. Championship winner, did not start off well after his excellent first round of 66.

The New York Times

Things start off well enough with a big-concept extravaganza that explains who we are and what we're doing here.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

He starts off well.

The New York Times - Books

Alfie starts off well, adapting to not having father around.

The Guardian

Luke Kernaghan's new production of No Way Out at the Southwark Playhouse starts off well.

The Guardian

"We started off well, had 70% possession but are not taking chances.

BBC

We started off well, it was just a shame that we got broke.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "start off well", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is beginning and the desired positive outcome. For instance, "The project started off well, with the initial phase completed ahead of schedule."

Common error

Avoid using "start off well" without specifying what is beginning. For example, instead of saying "Things started off well", clarify with "The meeting started off well" to provide context and prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start off well" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the manner in which something begins, emphasizing a positive or successful commencement. Ludwig provides numerous examples that support this function, showcasing its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "start off well" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a positive or successful beginning. According to Ludwig, it functions as a verb phrase, primarily serving to express hope or observation of a favorable commencement. It is versatile enough to be used in various contexts, from news and media to academia, with a generally neutral register. While many alternatives exist, such as "begin auspiciously" or "get off to a good start", the key is to ensure clarity in specifying what exactly is beginning positively. With an expert rating of 4.5, "start off well" stands as a reliable and effective phrase for conveying optimism about initial stages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get off to a good start

This phrase emphasizes the initiation of something in a favorable manner.

kick off successfully

This alternative uses the idiom "kick off" to indicate the start, emphasizing a successful launch.

make a strong start

This alternative focuses on the strength and impact of the beginning.

begin on a positive note

This suggests that the start is marked by favorable conditions or attitudes.

have a promising beginning

This alternative highlights the potential and positive outlook of the initial phase.

begin auspiciously

This alternative replaces the idiomatic "start off well" with a more formal expression indicating a promising start.

commence favorably

This alternative replaces "start" with the more formal "commence" and indicates a positive start.

launch successfully

This emphasizes the successful launch of something.

get underway positively

This alternative focuses on the positive manner in which something begins to operate or progress.

initiate effectively

This emphasizes the effectiveness of the starting action.

FAQs

How can I use "start off well" in a sentence?

You can use "start off well" to describe a positive beginning, such as "The presentation "started off well", capturing the audience's attention immediately".

What are some alternatives to "start off well"?

Instead of "start off well", you could use phrases like "begin auspiciously", "make a strong start", or "get off to a good start" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "start off well" or "start well"?

Both "start off well" and "start well" are grammatically correct, but "start off well" often implies a more idiomatic and emphatic sense of a positive beginning. "Start well" is more direct and can be used in similar contexts, though it might lack the nuanced emphasis of the former.

What does it mean when something "starts off well" but then declines?

If something "starts off well" but then declines, it means the initial stages were promising or successful, but subsequent progress deteriorated. This suggests initial success was not sustained, leading to a less favorable outcome.