were head start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were head start" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "a head start" or "had a head start"? If this is the case, you can use it when referring to having an advantage or early beginning in a competition or task. Example: "She had a head start in the race, which helped her finish first."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We did a session on early childhood in Minnesota, and two of our panelists – one was the state commissioner – were Head Start babies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It was Head Start that enabled me to begin my partnership of working with professionals as equals," Ms. Bartik said.

The New York Times

What is the land-grant university of the 19th century, what is Head Start, what is federal tuition assistance, what is affirmative action, if not testimony to the belief that the state must level the playing field?

The New York Times - Books

One is Head Start, which now serves close to one million low-income 3- and 4-year-olds and has tried for many years, with modest success, to make sure they're ready for kindergarten.

The New York Times

Gordon, a diminutive, bearded man of painstaking precision, said: "Back in the 60's, there was desegregation, there was the War on Poverty, there was Head Start -- and most of us really thought that we were going to do it.

The New York Times - Magazine

The major federal programs are: Head Start, child care subsidies through grants to states, the Child Care Food Program, federal income tax credits for child care, and preschool special education.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

"I would quite agree that there are Head Start programs across the country that should be closed," said Barbara Haxton, executive director of the Ohio Head Start Association.

Huffington Post

"There's a head start the online or print brand has in coming to the app store," Mr. Spero said.

The New York Times

Mr. Gemignani is enjoying his head start.

The New York Times

Brown thought only he had been given this head start.

The Guardian

We're getting a head start this holiday season and serving you gift guide realness. .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to someone having an early advantage, use the correct grammatical form such as "had a head start" or "was given a head start".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "were head start" as it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, ensure the verb tense and article usage are correct, such as using "had a head start" when describing a past advantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were head start" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't fulfill a clear grammatical function. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct and requires correction to convey a coherent meaning. It appears to be an attempt to describe a past advantage or early initiative, but it misses essential grammatical components.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were head start" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as incorrect, suggesting corrections like "had a head start" or "was given a head start". The intended meaning is to describe a past advantage or early start, but the grammatical error prevents effective communication. While sources like The New York Times and The Guardian contain the phrase, they are likely part of sentences needing correction, as also hinted by Ludwig. Using correct grammatical forms ensures clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a head start

Changes the verb to the past tense and adds the article 'a' to create a grammatically correct phrase indicating a past advantage.

got a head start

Replaces "had" with "got", providing a more informal way to express having an early advantage.

was given a head start

Shifts the focus to receiving the advantage, emphasizing the act of being given an early start.

benefited from a head start

Highlights the positive outcome of having an early advantage or initiative.

started with an advantage

Emphasizes the initial advantage at the beginning of a process or competition.

commenced with a leading edge

Uses more formal language to indicate beginning with a competitive advantage.

initiated an early advantage

Focuses on the action of beginning or creating an early advantage.

launched with a favorable beginning

Describes the start as favorable or promising due to the initial advantage.

possessed a preliminary edge

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary to express having an initial advantage.

secured an initial lead

Indicates gaining a lead or advantage at the outset of an endeavor.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "were head start"?

The phrase "were head start" is grammatically incorrect. Correct versions include "had a head start" or "was given a head start", depending on the intended meaning.

What does it mean to "have a head start"?

To "have a head start" means to have an advantage or early beginning in a competition, project, or other endeavor. It implies starting from a more favorable position than others.

What can I say instead of "were head start" to indicate an advantage?

Instead of "were head start", use phrases like "had an advantage", "started ahead", or "gained an early lead" to convey the idea of having a favorable initial position.

Is "head start" a formal or informal expression?

"Head start" is generally considered an informal expression, suitable for everyday conversation and writing. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "initial advantage" or "preliminary edge".