upon the outset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon the outset" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "at the outset," which is used to refer to the beginning or start of something. Example: "At the outset of the project, we established clear goals and objectives."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Upon the outset of the Korean War, Walmsley was assigned to the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3rd Bombardment Wing, Fifth United States Air Force.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One thing agreed upon at the outset by Mr. Leary and Mr. Tolan, whose names are the first ones seen in the opening credits, was that "The Job" would avoid all the standard formulas for network comedy.

The New York Times

Ms. Libeskind said that she and her husband do not typically prepare time sheets, though they would have been willing to had that been agreed upon at the outset.

The New York Times - Arts

All studies were coded deductively into pre-determined concepts considered and agreed upon at the outset of the review.

BMC Palliative Care

The objectives need to be agreed upon at the outset to ensure the best and most efficient use of available resources.

eLife

The number of groups was decided upon at the outset and once data was collected, it was felt that this was sufficient to capture the range of views and as such data saturation had been reached.> The study was approved by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDCC) and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

You have this great event, but is it helping to elevate poverty?" My overriding question upon arriving in South Africa at the outset of the World Cup was: "Who has the power?" Apartheid's imprint can been seen throughout South Africa.

The New York Times - Sports

There are additional "success fees" for a match that results in either marriage or a long-term relationship, usually defined as one year, though this is agreed upon by the client at the outset of the contract.

The New York Times

The definition of sustainable capacity varies from programme to programme and needs to be agreed upon by the primary beneficiaries at the outset.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Choosing the "right road" from the outset, instead of stumbling upon it haphazardly, is the Oulipian way: once the Apollonian structure has been circumscribed, Dionysus can work his magic.

The Guardian - Books

There might be difficulties to overcome at the outset, but Celtic call upon greater resources and strength in depth.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "upon the outset" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more conventional alternatives like "at the outset" or "at the beginning" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is using "upon" instead of "at" with "the outset". Always remember that the correct preposition is "at" to maintain grammatical accuracy: use "at the outset" instead of "upon the outset".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon the outset" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to specify the starting point of an action or event. However, it's not considered grammatically correct in modern English. Ludwig flags the phrase as non-standard, suggesting alternative formulations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon the outset" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable construction. As Ludwig highlights, it's best to avoid this phrase in favor of more standard alternatives like "at the outset", "at the beginning", or "from the start". These alternatives provide clarity and align with established grammatical conventions. Analysis of usage patterns indicates that even in contexts like news, science and wiki sources, corrected phrases are statistically preferrable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the beginning

Replaces "upon" with "at" and "outset" with "beginning", resulting in a more common and straightforward expression.

at the start

Similar to "at the beginning", but uses the word "start" which can imply a more dynamic or active commencement.

from the beginning

Emphasizes the continuous perspective from the initial point forward.

from the start

Similar to "from the beginning" but conveys a sense of immediacy.

in the initial phase

Replaces "outset" with a more descriptive term, highlighting a specific period.

in the early stages

Focuses on the developmental aspect of the commencement.

at the inception

Uses a more formal term, "inception", to refer to the beginning.

at the commencement

Offers a more formal and ceremonious tone.

in the first instance

Highlights the very first action or occurrence.

initially

A single-word adverb that efficiently conveys the concept of "at the beginning".

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "upon the outset"?

The correct and more commonly used phrase is "at the outset". It is grammatically sound and widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts.

What does "at the outset" mean?

The phrase "at the outset" means "at the beginning" or "from the start". It refers to the initial stage of an event, project, or process.

Can I use "upon the outset" in a sentence?

While "upon the outset" might be understood, it is not considered standard English. It's better to use "at the outset" for clear and correct communication.

What are some alternatives to "at the outset"?

Alternatives include "at the beginning", "from the start", "initially", or "in the initial phase", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.