what a beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

"what a beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the start of something, especially its potential. For example, "He's been playing the piano since he was a child, and, what a beginning he's had."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

What is that, about what a beginning teacher makes a year?" With Linda Lee.

The New York Times

There are plenty more mountains to climb — but what a beginning.

TechCrunch

It was beautiful, a two-dimensional first-person puzzle adventure that enraptured me from the moment I started it and what a beginning.

Vice

And what a beginning!

Princeton University

All of these books are exceptional examples of what a beginning reader can be.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

What a beautiful beginning.

Huffington Post

What a beautiful beginning to this very special day!

Huffington Post

"What a week!" he begins with a laugh.

The Guardian - Sport

What a way to begin a reign!

HuffPost

If they did, they'd understand that their actions Tuesday are nothing short of shameful.

Los Angeles Times

As a result, what began as a dalliance threatens to become an addiction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a beginning" to express enthusiasm about the start of something, be it a project, a relationship, or an event. It's most effective when the beginning shows promise or exceeds expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "what a beginning" in contexts that require a neutral or objective tone. This phrase is inherently expressive and may sound out of place in formal reports or academic papers where impartiality is key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a beginning" functions as an exclamatory expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses enthusiasm about the initial phase of an event or endeavor. The provided examples showcase its role in highlighting promising or impressive starts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a beginning" is an exclamatory phrase used to express enthusiasm or positive sentiment about the start of something. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and usable, particularly when referring to the promising nature of an initial phase. While the phrase is considered rare in frequency, it appears across various contexts, including news media and academic writing. It's best used in neutral to informal settings, avoiding overuse in strictly formal or scientific contexts. Consider alternatives like "promising start" or "fantastic start" for a similar sentiment with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fantastic start

Emphasizes the excellence and positive qualities of the commencement.

promising start

Focuses on the potential and positive outlook of the initial stage.

a great way to start

Expresses a similar sentiment but with a less exclamatory and more descriptive tone.

auspicious start

Replaces the exclamatory tone with a more formal adjective describing the beginning.

a flying start

Implies a rapid and successful commencement.

remarkable commencement

Substitutes "beginning" with the more formal "commencement", adding a sense of significance.

an excellent kickoff

Uses a more informal term, "kickoff", to indicate a strong and successful start.

a stellar launch

Evokes an image of a brilliant and impressive beginning.

impressive initiation

Highlights the admirable qualities of the initial action or event.

a phenomenal inception

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary to describe the amazing start.

FAQs

How can I use "what a beginning" in a sentence?

Use "what a beginning" to express excitement about something's start. For example, "The team's performance in the first quarter was outstanding; what a beginning!"

What are some alternatives to "what a beginning"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "auspicious start", "promising start", or "fantastic start" to convey a similar sentiment.

Is "what a beginning" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what a beginning" is generally more appropriate for informal or expressive contexts. For formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "a promising start".

Can "what a beginning" be used sarcastically?

Yes, depending on your tone and the context, "what a beginning" can be used sarcastically to express disappointment about a bad start. However, this should be clear from the surrounding text or vocal inflection.