to start afresh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to start afresh" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to beginning something again with a clean slate or a new perspective. Example: "After the difficult year, she decided it was time to start afresh and pursue her dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another Knicks player ready to start afresh is Iman Shumpert.

The New York Times - Sports

After which Butler felt the need to start afresh.

The Guardian - Music

And then the whole cycle will have to start afresh.

The New York Times - Travel

Hearing Tom Waits's album Swordfishtrombones inspired him to start afresh.

The Guardian - Music

Now the prime minister hopes to start afresh.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, he added, "I had the courage to start afresh, this time on a mole".

The New Yorker

So the new justice secretary should order his officials to start afresh.

The Guardian - Opinion

They refused to cooperate with his predecessor; now they have an opportunity to start afresh.

The New York Times

Mr Pollard has now presented Lord Hall with a golden opportunity to start afresh.

The Guardian - Opinion

With a nod to artist Michael Landy's possession-crushing installation, Boorman opted to start afresh.

The Guardian

The way forward is to learn from mistakes made and to start afresh.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to start afresh" when you want to emphasize a clean break from the past and a new beginning, particularly after overcoming challenges or failures.

Common error

Avoid using "to start afresh" in highly informal contexts, as it can sound slightly more formal than alternatives like "to start over". Choose your phrasing based on the audience and situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to start afresh" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase. It indicates an action that someone intends to take, expressing a desire for renewal or a fresh beginning, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to start afresh" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that conveys the idea of beginning again with a clean slate. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an infinitive phrase and is suitable for various contexts, though slightly more formal than its simpler alternative, "start over". Predominantly found in news and media, it signals a renewed approach and the leaving behind of past difficulties. Remember to use this phrase to emphasize the intention of a fresh start after overcoming a challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to start over

A more concise and informal way of saying "to start afresh", suitable for everyday conversation.

to begin anew

Emphasizes a fresh beginning, similar to "to start afresh" but with a slightly more formal tone.

to make a fresh start

Highlights the act of initiating a new beginning, focusing on the 'start' as a distinct event.

to turn over a new leaf

Implies a change in behavior or attitude, adding a moral dimension to the idea of starting over.

to wipe the slate clean

Suggests removing past mistakes or problems, creating a clear space for a new beginning.

to start from scratch

Indicates beginning something entirely from the beginning, without relying on previous work or resources.

to reboot

Metaphorically suggests restarting something, often used in technological or organizational contexts.

to reset

Focuses on returning to an initial state before beginning again.

to relaunch

Implies a renewed effort to promote or establish something that already exists.

to commence again

Formal alternative that highlights the action of starting again

FAQs

What does "to start afresh" mean?

The phrase "to start afresh" means to begin something again with a clean slate, often implying a desire to leave behind past mistakes or difficulties.

What can I say instead of "to start afresh"?

You can use alternatives like "to begin anew", "to make a fresh start", or "to start over" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "to start afresh" in formal writing?

Yes, "to start afresh" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider alternatives like "to begin anew" if you want a more elevated tone.

How does "to start afresh" differ from "to start from scratch"?

"To start afresh" implies a new beginning with the possibility of retaining some previous knowledge or resources. "To start from scratch", on the other hand, suggests beginning completely anew, without any reliance on past efforts.