starting strong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starting strong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of beginning something with energy, confidence, or effectiveness, often in contexts like sports, presentations, or projects. Example: "To ensure we win the game, we need to focus on starting strong in the first quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Mets acknowledge that starting strong is critical.

The New York Times

After starting strong, Houston bottomed out a bit and now need to convince themselves they're championship caliber.

The Guardian - Sport

All that remains is acquiring a starting strong safety, who will probably come from the pool of remaining free agents.

The New York Times - Sports

After starting strong with an amazing crop circle reveal, the first episode struggles to find a groove.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Carolina traded the starting strong safety Chris Harris to the Chicago Bears, continuing its off-season overhaul.

The New York Times

Before Kiel was injured, Chargers Coach Marty Schottenheimer had tabbed him as a candidate to win the vacant starting strong safety job.

The New York Times - Sports

While the two corner positions are still up for grabs, the senior Derik Keyes has claimed the starting strong safety spot.

The New York Times

Pat Tillman, the starting strong safety, who often attempts field goals for fun at practice, would have to be called upon for kicks of any length.

The New York Times - Sports

Barrow was then the free-agent linebacker the Giants coveted, and Garnes, the starting strong safety, knew the path to Barrow's heart, and it wasn't through his stomach.

The New York Times - Sports

"Big Brother," which made its debut on July 5, has been a tenuous hit among viewers, starting strong and then fluttering in the ratings.

The New York Times

Jay Bellamy, the New Orleans Saints' starting strong safety, will miss the rest of the season with a torn rotator cuff.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "starting strong" to set a positive tone when describing the initial phase of a project, initiative, or performance. It emphasizes the importance of a solid beginning for long-term success.

Common error

Avoid using "starting strong" repeatedly within the same paragraph or document. Vary your language by using synonyms like "beginning effectively" or "launching successfully" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting strong" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action begins. It indicates an action that is initiated with force, confidence, or effectiveness. Ludwig AI shows how this is used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "starting strong" is a grammatically correct and widely used adverbial phrase that signifies initiating an action or project with force, confidence, and effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across various contexts. It is commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific publications, indicating its versatility. While the phrase maintains a neutral formality, writers should be mindful of potential overuse and consider synonyms to enhance writing quality. The analysis also highlights the phrase's key role in emphasizing the importance of a powerful beginning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting off to a good start

An idiomatic expression indicating a positive and promising beginning.

making a strong start

Highlights the strength of the start, suggesting a solid and well-founded beginning.

launching successfully

Focuses on the successful initiation of something, highlighting the positive outcome from the beginning.

beginning effectively

Emphasizes the effectiveness of the start, focusing on achieving desired results from the outset.

commencing powerfully

Highlights the strength and impact of the start, suggesting a forceful and impressive beginning.

initiating with vigor

Focuses on the enthusiasm and energy put into the start, suggesting a lively and spirited beginning.

kicking off impressively

Emphasizes the impressive nature of the kickoff or beginning, suggesting a remarkable start.

gaining early momentum

Emphasizes the importance of building momentum from the start to maintain progress.

establishing a firm foundation

Focuses on the creation of a stable and reliable base from the beginning.

taking off rapidly

Highlights the speed and momentum gained from the beginning, suggesting a quick and successful start.

FAQs

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

You can use "starting strong" to describe the initial phase of an activity or project, for example: "The team focused on "starting strong" to build momentum for the rest of the season."

What are some alternatives to "starting strong"?

Some alternatives to "starting strong" include "beginning effectively", "launching successfully", or "getting off to a good start" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "start strong" or "starting strong"?

"Starting strong" is often used as an adverbial phrase, while "start strong" can function as an imperative verb phrase. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. For example, "They are "starting strong"" versus "Start strong to win the race".

What does it mean to "start strong" in a business context?

In a business context, ""starting strong"" typically refers to initiating a project, marketing campaign, or fiscal year with significant effort, resources, and strategic planning to achieve early successes and set a positive trajectory.