this is merely the beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is merely the beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that what has occurred so far is just the initial phase of a larger process or event. Example: "After the successful launch of our first product, I can confidently say that this is merely the beginning of our journey towards innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This is merely the beginning of the list.

The New York Times - Books

It also functions as an ad hoc service charge, but this is merely the beginning.

The New York Times - Travel

"This is merely the beginning of an ongoing case," Mr. Fisch said, adding in an interview that thousands of other ticket cases were under investigation.

The New York Times

Whether this is merely the beginning of a broader trend, or something that will pass in 2008 is still to be seen.

TechCrunch

Clearly, this is merely the beginning – future attacks will not only have a grave economic impact worldwide, but may cause severe damage to our critical infrastructure and national security.

TechCrunch

Suri agreed, adding that "coffee, iCal and noise-cancelling headphones all help — maybe in that order?" For the coffee-drinking, hardworking trio, this is merely the beginning for BOXFOX.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

With questions like that left hanging in the air, there seemed to be an acknowledgment that this was merely the beginning of a conversation.

Vice

The finish line is not the launch of a grand plan in September, when the SDGs are announced, that is merely the beginning.

Huffington Post

"Hezbollah is warned from attacking any free person from the free people of the Sunnis in Baalbek and threatens that this operation is merely the beginning of the great battle of purification," one of the tweets said.

Los Angeles Times

This is not the end; it is merely the beginning.

Huffington Post

If someone poisons my dog or other pet and leaves its corpse on my front porch, I will not mistake this for an isolated, freak event, and will instead know that it is merely the beginning of a cascade of progressively more awful events.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is merely the beginning" to set expectations that a situation will evolve further, especially after an initial positive development.

Common error

Avoid using "this is merely the beginning" when the subsequent stages are unlikely to materialize or when the initial event is already significant in itself. Save it for scenarios with genuine potential for growth or escalation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as an introductory remark. It signals that the current state or event is not the conclusion but rather the starting point of a longer process. It implies anticipation of future developments, a meaning supported by the Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is merely the beginning" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that an event or situation is just the start of something more significant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. It functions as an introductory remark, creating anticipation and setting expectations for future developments. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it is commonly found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is just the beginning

Uses "just" instead of "merely", implying a similar sense of something being in its early stages.

this is only the beginning

Replaces "merely" with "only", indicating the initial phase of something more extensive.

this is but the start

Employs "but the start" to suggest that the current situation is just an initial point.

this marks the inception

Formal alternative using "inception" to denote the commencement of something significant.

the opening act

Metaphorical, framing the situation as the first part of a larger performance.

the genesis of

Elevated register, indicating the origin or birth of something.

a new chapter unfolds

Suggests the start of a new and important phase.

the dawn of

Poetic, indicating the start of a new era or development.

this is a harbinger of things to come

Indicates that the current event is a sign of future developments.

the tip of the iceberg

Idiomatic, implying that the visible part is only a small fraction of a larger issue.

FAQs

What does "this is merely the beginning" imply?

It suggests that a situation or event is only in its initial phase and that more significant developments are expected to follow. It sets the stage for future events or progress.

How can I use "this is merely the beginning" in a sentence?

You can use it to emphasize that an achievement or event is just the start of a larger process. For example, "The launch of our new product is a success; "this is merely the beginning" of our expansion into the market."

What are some alternatives to "this is merely the beginning"?

You can use alternatives like "this is just the beginning", "this is only the beginning", or "this is but the start" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "this is merely the beginning" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of the communication.