the first week of September

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the first week of September" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the initial seven days of September in various contexts, such as scheduling or planning. Example: "We will hold the meeting during the first week of September to discuss the project updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The wasps did not return over the summer, but quail and foxes ate about half the pinot noir crop, which was harvested the first week of September.

The New York Times - Food

It's the first week of September, which means classes, homework, and an exorbitant explosion of partying and alcohol consumption.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the last week of August and the first week of September, 3,000 more recruits conscripted in southwest Korea joined the division.

Wikipedia

The antlers are shed of the blood-engorged skin called velvet in late August, and the bulls are in rut by the first week of September.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On July 18th, the Yankees enjoyed a ten-game lead, but between late August and the first week of September they lost ten of fourteen games.

The New Yorker

Towards the end of the first week of September, the next cyclone of the season was starting to form south of the Mexican coast.

Wikipedia

By the first week of September, the Luftwaffe had not gained the results desired by Hitler.

Wikipedia

The Forbes Fundamental Opportunity index finished the first week of September in the red.

Forbes

A year ago, the Dow closed the first week of September just below 11,000.

The New Yorker

This is the first week of September, the Jets' first week in their new headquarters.

The New York Times - Sports

By the first week of September, the company expects to have eight digital billboards in Philadelphia and a second digital network of 10 signs in Los Angeles.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events, clarify the year to avoid ambiguity, especially if discussing events across calendar years. For example, "The conference will be held during "the first week of September" 2026."

Common error

Avoid assuming the year is understood; explicitly state the year to prevent confusion, especially when planning events far in advance or referencing past occurrences. Instead of "The deadline is "the first week of September"", specify "The deadline is "the first week of September" 2026".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first week of September" functions as a temporal noun phrase, specifying a particular period of time. It indicates when something occurs or is scheduled to occur. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first week of September" is a grammatically sound and frequently used temporal phrase that specifies a timeframe within the first seven days of September. As confirmed by Ludwig, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, general communication, and formal settings. The phrase primarily functions to schedule, plan, or reference events. Common alternatives include "early September" and "the beginning of September". To avoid ambiguity, especially in long-term planning, it is best practice to explicitly include the year. With a high expert rating and wide applicability, this phrase remains a reliable choice for specifying time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the week of September 1st

Specifically mentions the first of September as the anchor of the week.

the initial week of September

Replaces "first" with "initial", offering a synonym without changing the meaning.

the opening week of September

Uses "opening" instead of "first", slightly altering the tone but maintaining the timeframe.

early September

Focuses on the beginning of September without specifying a particular week.

first seven days of September

More explicitly defines the timeframe as a seven-day period.

beginning of September

Highlights the start of the month but is less specific than a week.

September's initial days

Similar to "September's first few days" but emphasizes the initial nature.

September's first few days

Specifies a shorter period than the entire first week.

the start of September

A broader term for early September, without focusing on a specific week.

around September 1st

Centers on a single day, the start of the month, rather than a week.

FAQs

How can I use "the first week of September" in a sentence?

You can use "the first week of September" to indicate a timeframe, such as, "The project is scheduled to launch in the first week of September." It clarifies when an event or action will occur.

What's another way to say "the first week of September"?

Alternatives include "early September", "the beginning of September", or "the week of September 1st", depending on the level of specificity needed.

Is it more formal to say "the initial week of September" instead of "the first week of September"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "the first week of September" is generally more common and neutral in tone. "The initial week of September" is slightly more formal but can sound somewhat stilted in everyday conversation.

When should I use "the first week of September" versus "late August"?

"The first week of September" is appropriate when the event falls specifically within the first seven days of September. If the event occurs in the last few days of August, "late August" would be more accurate.