start the evening off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start the evening off" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the initial activities or events that begin an evening. Example: "We decided to start the evening off with a nice dinner." Alternative expressions include "kick off the evening" and "begin the evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I sighed, stepped over them and decided I didn't want to start the evening off by nagging my children.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Sánchez starts the evening off around 10 30 with the ballad "Tatuajes" (Tattoos) by Joan Sebastian, and moves right into the tuba-inflected regional Mexican music known as banda, then a famous 1980's salsa tune, all music that would be well-known to most Mexicans back home.

The New York Times

On Sunday, Paxahau resident Gabi starts the afternoon off proper with a driving techno set, moving from minimal to harder techno while steadily drawing a solid crowd.

The Guardian - Music

They moved in on Friday evening, vowing to improve themselves by doing all the city things they'd previously put off, starting the next morning.

The New Yorker

The storm began ramping up Sunday afternoon and will likely bring "damaging winds" to several states starting in the evening before tapering off early Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Huffington Post

I know that all of you have worked hard to get here, but let me start off the afternoon by also acknowledging the contributions of your parents, family members, teachers, mentors and friends who have supported you on your road to Stanford.

Stanford University

Leonard Bernstein started off the evening with an unscheduled "compostion" written in twelve-tone serial technique by a computer named Pegasus, property of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

The New Yorker

Governor Corzine started off the evening by recounting the trajectory of welfare for foster children during his tenure as governor of New Jersey, pointing out that the crisis he inherited that had been rectified by passionate advocates, spearheaded by Children's Rights, by the end of his tenure.

Huffington Post

Start off the morning with 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer in the exercise room.

The New York Times

Definitely something to start your Friday night off right.

Vice

In other action, Andrew Ruiz won a unanimous decision 59-555, 59-55, and 58-56) over Joaquin Chavez in six rounds in super lightweight action to start off the evening.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "start the evening off", ensure the context clearly indicates what activity or event is beginning. For example, "We will start the evening off with appetizers and drinks."

Common error

Avoid using "start the evening off" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using alternatives like "begin the evening" or "kick off the evening" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start the evening off" functions as a verb phrase, acting as the predicate of a sentence. Ludwig shows its use in initiating or commencing activities planned for the evening.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start the evening off" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the beginning of an evening's activities. Ludwig's analysis shows that it is most frequently used in news and media, academia, and general writing contexts. While alternatives like "begin the evening" or "kick off the evening" can add variety, it’s important to ensure the context clearly indicates what activity is being initiated. Overuse should be avoided by incorporating synonyms, and careful consideration should be given to the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Begin the evening

Uses a different verb to convey the same starting action.

Open the evening

Simple, direct way to indicate the beginning of the evening.

Kick off the evening

Uses a more informal, idiomatic expression for starting.

Commence the evening

A more formal synonym for beginning the evening.

Initiate the evening

A more formal option for beginning the evening's activities.

Get the evening underway

Focuses on initiating the progress of the evening.

Launch the evening

Suggests a more energetic or planned beginning.

Inaugurate the evening

A more ceremonious way to describe starting the evening.

Get the ball rolling for the evening

Idiomatic expression indicating the start of activities.

Set the stage for the evening

Emphasizes preparation and anticipation for the evening's events.

FAQs

What does "start the evening off" mean?

The phrase "start the evening off" means to begin an evening's activities or events, indicating the initial action or step taken at the beginning of the evening.

How can I use "start the evening off" in a sentence?

You can use "start the evening off" in a sentence like this: "We decided to "start the evening off" with dinner at our favorite restaurant".

What can I say instead of "start the evening off"?

You can use alternatives like "begin the evening", "kick off the evening", or "commence the evening" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "start the evening off"?

Yes, the phrase "start the evening off" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.