started from scratch

USAGE SUMMARY

"started from scratch" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically means to start something again from the beginning with no prior knowledge or experience. For example, "The company started from scratch five years ago and has now become a major international success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I started from scratch.

The New Yorker

"We started from scratch.

The New York Times

To get clean, Russell started from scratch.

The Guardian

I have started from scratch here before.

The New Yorker

"The accountancy profession started from scratch.

The New York Times

"I started from scratch," Mr. Garcia said.

The New York Times

"We started from scratch," Mr. Kacic said.

The New York Times

We started from scratch three months ago.

The New Yorker

"I've started from scratch several times.

The New Yorker

So we threw everything out and started from scratch.

Independent

So we gutted the inside and started from scratch".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started from scratch" to emphasize the absence of any prior foundation or advantage when beginning a project or endeavor. It conveys a sense of building something entirely new and original.

Common error

Avoid using "started from scratch" when there's partial reuse of existing resources or knowledge. The phrase implies a complete and utter beginning, not a modification or iteration of something pre-existing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started from scratch" functions as an idiomatic expression, indicating a beginning without any prior work or advantage. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts, from rebuilding after a disaster to creating a new product or system.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started from scratch" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of beginning something entirely anew, without any prior foundation or advantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings, it emphasizes originality and independent effort. While alternatives like "began anew" or "started over" exist, "started from scratch" uniquely highlights the complete absence of pre-existing resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began from zero

Similar to "started from scratch", but emphasizes the numerical starting point.

started from the beginning

A more literal and less idiomatic way of expressing the same concept.

started over

A simpler, more general way of saying "started from scratch", suitable for informal contexts.

made a fresh start

Focuses on the positive aspect of beginning again with a new perspective.

began anew

Emphasizes the act of starting again, focusing on the new beginning rather than the absence of prior work.

returned to square one

An idiom that suggests going back to the initial stage after facing setbacks.

rebuilt from the ground up

Implies a more extensive process of construction and effort than simply "starting from scratch".

embarked on a clean slate

Highlights the new opportunity, using a more elevated vocabulary.

wiped the slate clean

Suggests erasing past mistakes or failures before beginning again.

reinvented the wheel

A less direct alternative that suggests creating something new without relying on existing methods or precedents.

FAQs

How can I use "started from scratch" in a sentence?

You can use "started from scratch" to describe building something without any existing foundation. For example, "After the fire, the community "started from scratch" to rebuild their homes and businesses."

What does "started from scratch" mean?

"Started from scratch" means to begin something entirely new, without relying on anything that existed before. It implies a complete restart.

Is it better to say "start from scratch" or "begin from scratch"?

Both "start from scratch" and "begin from scratch" are correct and usable, but "start from scratch" is more common. Both phrases carry the same meaning.

What are some alternatives to "started from scratch"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "began anew", "started over", or "began from zero", depending on the context.