starting from scratch

USAGE SUMMARY

"starting from scratch" is a common and correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It means starting something completely new or from the very beginning, without any previous progress or knowledge. Example: After their company failed, they had to start from scratch and build a new business from the ground up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You're starting from scratch.

The New York Times

We are starting from scratch".

The New Yorker

Everyone is starting from scratch".

The New York Times

We're not starting from scratch.

The New York Times - Sports

The Nets are starting from scratch.

The New York Times

And he is starting from scratch.

The New York Times

Fortunately, we are not starting from scratch.

The New York Times

Luckily, he is not starting from scratch.

The Economist

Rebuilding would mean starting from scratch.

The New York Times

We were starting from scratch essentially".

The New York Times - Sports

But starting from scratch can be unsettling.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "starting from scratch" when emphasizing a complete lack of prior progress or knowledge. It highlights the need for a totally new approach.

Common error

Avoid using "starting from scratch" when only minor adjustments or revisions are needed. The phrase implies a complete overhaul, not just a tweak.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting from scratch" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verb phrase that describes the act of initiating something completely anew. It is reinforced by Ludwig AI as a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "starting from scratch" is a widely used and grammatically sound idiom that signifies beginning something entirely anew. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common phrase suitable for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media, but also present in formal business settings. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards informal usage and conveys the need for a completely fresh start. Alternatives such as "starting over" or "beginning anew" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting over

Implies a fresh start, often after a setback or mistake.

beginning anew

Emphasizes the act of beginning in a new or different way.

making a fresh start

Focuses on the positivity and opportunity of a new beginning.

rebuilding from the ground up

Highlights the effort involved in constructing something new after a complete loss.

going back to square one

Indicates returning to the initial stage after progress has been lost.

wiping the slate clean

Suggests erasing past mistakes and beginning with a clean record.

turning over a new leaf

Implies making a significant change for the better.

drawing a blank

Refers to not having any prior knowledge or ideas, necessitating a completely new approach.

resetting

Suggests returning to a default or initial state.

picking up the pieces

Implies a fragmented prior state, but starting anew is necessary.

FAQs

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

You can use "starting from scratch" to describe beginning a project or task completely anew, such as: "After the fire, they had to rebuild the business "starting from scratch"."

What's a more formal way to say "starting from scratch"?

While "starting from scratch" is acceptable in most contexts, consider using "beginning anew" or "recommencing from the initial stage" in more formal settings.

What can I say instead of "starting from scratch"?

You can use alternatives like "starting over", "beginning anew", or "going back to square one" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "starting from scratch"?

Use "starting from scratch" when a project, plan, or system has failed or been completely destroyed, necessitating a complete restart without reliance on previous work.