starting side

USAGE SUMMARY

"starting side" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the beginning of a process, situation, or relationship. For example, "We have come a long way since the starting side of our journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In doubles, one player on the starting side serves.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's always been based on pitching, primarily on the starting side.

The New York Times - Sports

In Brazil Hitzfeld might also decide to leave him out of the starting side.

The Guardian - Sport

Of course I'm disappointed not to be in the starting side but I wish Tom Croft all the best.

The Guardian - Sport

Treviso's Edoardo Gori replaces Fabio Semenzato at scrum-half while Simone Favaro drops to the bench with the flanker Robert Barbieri taking his place in the starting side.

The Guardian - Sport

Sheens is set to pick his best 17 for the finals and Cherry-Evans is unlikely to unseat either Cronk or Thurston in the starting side.

The Guardian - Sport

New Zealand also confirmed their starting side with Henry Nicholls making his Test debut batting at number four in place of the injured Ross Taylor.

The Guardian - Sport

However, McNamara was clearly impressed with the 21-year-old's performance and he now has the opportunity to cement his place in the England starting side.

The Guardian - Sport

Scotland had plenty of guile in their starting side, with Steven Naismith on the left and Shaun Maloney a scuttling menace between the lines.

The Guardian - Sport

Only one player from the Roosters' likely starting side (Friend) has not played Origin or international football, and that is only because of Cameron Smith.

The Guardian - Sport

The win was all the more notable given injuries forced Canberra captain Ellie Brush and American forward Jasmyne Spencer out of the starting side.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing team formations or strategic positioning, use "starting side" to clearly indicate the initial setup before any changes or substitutions occur.

Common error

Avoid using "starting side" when you mean "sideline". The "starting side" refers to the players who begin the game, while the "sideline" is where players wait to enter the game.

Linguistic Context

Starting side primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies the group or team that commences an activity, particularly in sports, as shown by Ludwig. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "starting side" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, particularly in sports, science and encyclopedic contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively describes the initial participants or configuration in an activity. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various audiences. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, followed by Scientific publications. It's important to avoid confusing it with terms like "sideline", which have distinct meanings. Using "starting side" correctly helps provide clarity about the initial state or team in a specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opening lineup

Emphasizes the arrangement of players at the start.

initial team

Focuses on the team composition at the beginning of a game or competition.

first team

Highlights the primary or main team.

starting eleven

Specifically refers to the eleven players starting a soccer match.

initial placement

Highlights the beginning position or arrangement.

original arrangement

Stresses the initial setup or order.

beginning configuration

Refers to the initial setup or structure of something.

first responders

Highlights the individuals who initiate a response in a particular scenario.

point of origin

Focuses on the place where something begins.

primary service

highlights the individual who initiates in service based games.

FAQs

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

You can use "starting side" to refer to the initial lineup of a sports team. For example, "The coach announced the "starting side" for the championship game."

What's a good alternative to "starting side" in sports?

Alternatives include "opening lineup" or "first team", depending on the context. The "opening lineup" emphasizes the arrangement, while "first team" highlights the primary team members.

Is "starting side" formal or informal language?

"Starting side" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing sports. However, more technical terms might be preferred in highly formal or scientific writing.

What does "starting side" mean in a non-sports context?

Outside of sports, "starting side" can refer to the initial or beginning aspect of a process or situation. For example, in a scientific experiment, it might refer to the "beginning configuration" of the setup.