the beginning of the year

USAGE SUMMARY

"the beginning of the year" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the early part of the year, typically January or the first few months of a calendar year. Example: "The beginning of the year is always a busy time for accountants, as people rush to file their taxes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The beginning of the year brings much enthusiasm for new beginnings, new experiences, and new successes.

Huffington Post

Remember the beginning of the year?

Independent

"Kind of like at the beginning of the year.

The New York Times - Sports

At the beginning of the year, I was in Abyei.

The New York Times

Let's start at the beginning of the year.

The New York Times

"One, since the beginning of the year," he said.

The New Yorker

They moved at the beginning of the year.

The New York Times

Unemployment rose, albeit slightly, at the beginning of the year.

The Economist

"They needed more help from the beginning of the year.

The New York Times

Prices have roughly doubled since the beginning of the year.

The Economist

Prices have even fallen since the beginning of the year.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing trends or changes, specify the year to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "At the beginning of 2024, the market showed signs of recovery."

Common error

Avoid using "the beginning of the year" without specifying which year, especially in contexts where multiple years are discussed. This can lead to confusion. Always provide the year for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the beginning of the year" functions as a temporal noun phrase, indicating a specific time period. It's used to set a timeframe for events, plans, or changes. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears in contexts describing economic trends, personal goals, or policy changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the beginning of the year" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote the early months of a calendar year. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and understood. Its primary function is to provide temporal context, appearing frequently in news, business, and scientific sources. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the year to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "the start of the year" or "early part of the year". Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's versatility and relevance across various domains, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The start of the year

Uses 'start' instead of 'beginning', a direct synonym.

The first part of the year

Uses 'first part' as a more general synonym.

Early part of the year

Focuses on the temporal aspect using 'early part'.

The opening of the year

Uses 'opening' instead of 'beginning', implying a start or initiation.

The year's commencement

Employs a more formal word, 'commencement', for 'beginning'.

The inception of the year

Replaces 'beginning' with 'inception', indicating a more formal start.

The initial months of the year

Specifies a duration rather than a point in time.

As the year begins

Shifts the focus to the act of the year starting.

New year's start

A shorter and slightly less formal phrasing.

The year's dawning

Employs a metaphoric word, 'dawning', to represent the beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "the beginning of the year" in a sentence?

You can use "the beginning of the year" to refer to the early months of a calendar year. For example, "At "the beginning of the year", we set new goals for our team".

What are some alternatives to "the beginning of the year"?

Some alternatives include "the start of the year", "early part of the year", or "the year's commencement" depending on the context.

Is it necessary to specify the year when using "the beginning of the year"?

Yes, it's often helpful to specify the year to avoid ambiguity, especially if you're discussing events across multiple years. For example, "the beginning of 2024" provides more clarity.

What's the difference between "the beginning of the year" and "the end of the year"?

"The beginning of the year" refers to January and the early months, while "the end of the year" refers to November and December. They represent opposite periods within the same calendar year.