starts of term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starts of term" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "start of term," which refers to the beginning of an academic term or semester. Example: "The start of term is always an exciting time for students as they prepare for new classes and experiences."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As starts of term go, it's enough to make anyone fractious.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I remember taking back to him a start-of-term "collections" essay for him to tell me what he had written on it.

The Guardian

The start-of-term assembly came during a turbulent few weeks for Wellington academy, the comprehensive in rural Wiltshire that has become a test case for the potential of state-private links.

The Guardian

The students and instructors were asked to complete both a start-of-term and end-of-term survey.

International Journal of STEM Education

When he handed in his summer assignments by their start-of-term deadline his teachers were amazed that he had been able to code the Summly app and still have time for his coursework.

BBC

Several incidents, beginning with the shooting pain in Harry's scar during the start-of-term feast, lead Harry and his friends to think Snape is a follower of Voldemort.

Wikipedia

It shut down nine days before the start of term.

The Guardian

By the start of term, there was a war on.

The Guardian - Books

Rehearse saying no Think about the things that may derail you at the start of term.

The Guardian

Back in Ariel, students are hurrying between classes at the start of term.

The Guardian

Coming just days before the start of term, the inpact on incoming students will be considerable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "start of term" instead of "starts of term" to ensure grammatical correctness. The phrase "start of term" is widely accepted and commonly used in academic and general contexts.

Common error

Do not pluralize "start" when referring to the beginning of an academic period. The correct form is singular: "start of term", not "starts of term".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starts of term" is intended to function as a noun phrase, specifying the commencement of academic periods. However, this phrasing is grammatically incorrect. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the correct form is "start of term".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "starts of term" may appear in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies that the correct phrase is "start of term", which denotes the beginning of an academic period. The phrase is intended to specify the initiation of school or university sessions and is generally neutral in register. It’s important to avoid pluralizing "start" in this context to ensure grammatical accuracy. Remember to use "start of term" for clear and correct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning of term

Uses 'beginning' instead of 'starts', focusing on the initial phase of a term.

start of the academic year

Specifies the 'academic year' instead of a general 'term'.

opening of the semester

Replaces 'term' with 'semester', indicating a specific academic period.

commencement of classes

Focuses on the 'classes' rather than the broader term.

initiation of the school year

Uses 'initiation' to emphasize the starting point of the 'school year'.

new term kickoff

Employs 'kickoff' as a more informal synonym for the start of a term.

academic term's inception

Utilizes 'inception' to denote the beginning of the academic term.

term's first day

Highlights the 'first day' of the term.

outset of term

Focuses on the 'outset' as the starting point.

launch of the academic session

Uses 'launch' and refers to the 'academic session'.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "starts of term"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct and widely accepted phrase is "start of term".

What does "start of term" mean?

It refers to the beginning of an academic period, such as a semester or a school year. It's the time when classes resume and new courses begin.

What can I say instead of "starts of term"?

Use "start of term" or alternatives like "beginning of term" or "commencement of classes" depending on the context.

Which is the correct way to refer to the resumption of classes: "starts of term" or "start of term"?

The correct phrase is "start of term". The term 'start' should be in the singular form.