starting anew

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starting anew" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to beginning something again or making a fresh start, often after a change or a difficult situation. Example: "After the breakup, she decided it was time for starting anew and moved to a different city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Growing up, leaving home, starting anew — it feels sad, sometimes.

The New York Times

There are often savings to be made by starting anew".

Independent

She suggested wiping out all the records and starting anew.

The New York Times - Sports

Political losers, too, deserve a honeymoon when starting anew.

The New York Times

They kept reinventing themselves, discarding the invention, starting anew.

The New York Times

It symbolises the eternal, evading death by always starting anew.

The Guardian

If you've got a new house or something you're starting anew, that's when you go.

The New Yorker

Starting anew in his 70s, he no longer went by "Dr".

The New York Times

After moving to California with his wife and starting anew, Dyer's life changes unexpectedly.

The Guardian - Books

The entire world is starting anew and I can never resist joining in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Were you starting anew, you'd have no obligation to accept this young cad's work.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "starting anew" to convey a sense of optimism and forward momentum after a significant change or challenge. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the positive aspects of a fresh beginning.

Common error

Don't use "starting anew" when a simple 'starting' or 'beginning' would suffice. The 'anew' adds emphasis, so reserve it for situations where you want to highlight the fresh or transformative nature of the start.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting anew" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun or part of a noun phrase. As shown by Ludwig, it describes the act of beginning something again in a new or different way. It can serve as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "starting anew" is a common and grammatically sound gerund phrase that conveys the idea of a fresh beginning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is found most frequently in news and media contexts and can be used in formal and informal writing, although alternatives may be more suitable for specific situations. When using "starting anew", consider the context and the nuances you want to convey to ensure it effectively captures the desired meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning again

Focuses on the act of beginning, with 'again' simply indicating a repeat occurrence.

making a fresh start

Implies a clean break from the past and a new, untainted beginning.

starting afresh

Similar to 'fresh start', but with a slightly more formal tone.

restarting

A more concise term that emphasizes the interruption and subsequent resumption of an activity or process.

beginning from scratch

Highlights the lack of any existing foundation or resources; a complete and total rebuild.

turning over a new leaf

Suggests a moral or behavioral transformation alongside the new beginning.

wiping the slate clean

Emphasizes the removal of past mistakes or failures to allow for a fresh beginning.

resetting

Refers to bringing a system or process back to its initial state.

launching anew

Emphasizes a formal or public beginning.

commencing afresh

A more formal and emphatic way of saying 'starting anew'.

FAQs

How can I use "starting anew" in a sentence?

You can use "starting anew" to describe the beginning of a new phase or activity after a significant change. For example, "After losing his job, he saw it as an opportunity for "starting anew" in a different field".

What is a good alternative to "starting anew"?

Alternatives to "starting anew" include "beginning again", "making a fresh start", or "starting afresh". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "starting anew" formal or informal?

"Starting anew" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "commencing afresh" might be more appropriate for highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "starting anew" and "starting again"?

While similar, "starting anew" suggests a more significant break from the past and a fresh approach, whereas "starting again" simply implies repeating a process. Think of "starting anew" as implying a new beginning, while "starting again" is more about repetition.