the start of

USAGE SUMMARY

"the start of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the beginning of something, or to introduce something new. For example, "The start of the school year brings with it a sense of excitement and optimism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The start of something new?

The Economist

That's the start of Bruna".

The New York Times

Since the start of the year (Jan.

The New York Times

It was the start of her weekend.

The New Yorker

Could be the start of something new.

The Economist

The start of the "first round" games.

The New York Times

"It's the start of a journey".

The New York Times - Sports

"This is the start of the experiment".

The New York Times

It's the start of world domination!

Independent

Clearly the start of something big.

The New Yorker

I missed the start of the match.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the start of", ensure clarity by specifying what is beginning, for example, "the start of the project" or "the start of the year".

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "the start of" within the same paragraph. Vary your language by using synonyms like "beginning", "onset", or rephrasing the sentence to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the start of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, introducing a noun or noun phrase that denotes the beginning or commencement of something. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical usage and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the start of" is a frequently used prepositional phrase that effectively indicates the beginning or commencement of something. Ludwig AI analysis and numerous examples confirm its correct usage across various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific literature. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "the commencement of" may be preferred in certain professional settings. To enhance writing clarity, ensure you specify what is beginning and consider varying your language to avoid repetitive use of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the beginning of

Replaces "start" with its direct synonym "beginning", maintaining the same prepositional structure.

the commencement of

Substitutes "start" with the more formal "commencement", suitable for professional or academic contexts.

the onset of

Replaces "start" with "onset", often used for the beginning of something undesirable or a process.

the inception of

Uses "inception" instead of "start", implying the initial stage of a project or organization.

the initiation of

Replaces "start" with "initiation", emphasizing the act of beginning or setting something in motion.

the dawning of

Employs "dawning" to suggest the beginning of a new era or understanding.

the genesis of

Uses "genesis" to refer to the origin or creation of something, often with a historical or significant connotation.

the kickoff to

Replaces "start" with the more informal "kickoff", typically used in sports or to signal the beginning of an event.

the launch of

Employs "launch" to suggest the beginning of a new product, campaign, or initiative.

the threshold of

Uses "threshold" to represent the point of entering a new phase or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "the start of" in a sentence?

You can use "the start of" to indicate the commencement of something, such as "The start of the movie was captivating" or "The start of the project was delayed".

What are some alternatives to "the start of"?

Alternatives to "the start of" include "the beginning of", "the onset of", or "the commencement of", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "the start of" and "the beginning of"?

While often interchangeable, "the start of" can sometimes imply a more active initiation, whereas "the beginning of" is a more general term for commencement.

When is it appropriate to use "the start of" in formal writing?

"The start of" is suitable for formal writing, but in highly formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "the commencement of" or "the initiation of".