the start of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the start of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the beginning of a new event, project, or phase in life. Example: "This project marks the start of something significant for our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The start of something new?

The Economist

Clearly the start of something big.

The New Yorker

It was the start of something new.

The Economist

Could be the start of something new.

The Economist

The start of something big".

The Guardian - Sport

Is this the start of something big?

Harvard University

This is the start of something special.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the start of something beautiful.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is the start of something new.

The Guardian - Sport

It's the start of something isn't it?

The Guardian - Opinion

We're at the start of something.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with the verb "to be" or "to represent" to mark a significant turning point in a narrative or report.

Common error

Writers often mistakenly add "first" as a modifier (e.g., "the first start of something"). Since a start is by definition the beginning, this is redundant. Use the phrase simply to maintain a clean and professional prose style.

Linguistic Context

This is a noun phrase composed of the definite article "the", the noun "start" and a prepositional phrase "of something". In most contexts, it serves as the subject, direct object or predicate nominative in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates it is a versatile grammatical building block used to define the onset of an event or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the start of something" is an exceptionally versatile and grammatically standard phrase. Ludwig AI data confirms its high frequency across top-tier publications, where it is often used to signal potential, change or the beginning of a significant era. Whether utilized in the sports pages of The New York Times to describe a team's resurgence or in The Economist to analyze geopolitical shifts, the phrase remains a reliable choice for writers. For more formal needs, alternatives like "the commencement of something" are recommended, but for most general writing, this phrase provides a clear and evocative way to introduce new developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the beginning of something

Virtually interchangeable but slightly more common in general conversation.

the inception of something

Specifically refers to the creation or conceptual start of an organization or project.

the commencement of something

Higher level of formality, often used in legal, academic or official contexts.

the dawn of something

Adds a poetic or metaphorical nuance, implying a significant historical or systemic shift.

the genesis of something

Focuses on the very first origin or birth of an idea or entity.

the onset of something

Usually refers to the beginning of something abstract, often unpleasant like a disease or a storm.

the kickoff of something

A more colloquial and dynamic alternative, frequently used in sports or project management.

the opening of something

Focuses on the physical or scheduled start of an event or performance.

the birth of something

Metaphorical phrasing that emphasizes the creation and subsequent life of a concept.

the initial phase of something

A more clinical or procedural way to describe the first step in a larger process.

FAQs

What is a more formal alternative to "the start of something"?

In professional or academic writing, you might prefer using "the commencement of something" or "the inception of something" to convey a more serious tone.

Is "the start of something" a common idiom?

Yes, it is frequently used to imply a positive future, as in the popular expression "the start of something beautiful" or "the start of something special".

When should I use "at the start of" instead?

Use "at the start of" when you are providing a temporal marker for an event, for example, "at the start of the meeting". Use "the start of something" as a standalone noun phrase to describe a new phase or entity.

Can "the start of something" be used informally?

Absolutely. For very casual contexts, you might also use "the kickoff of something" to describe the beginning of an activity.