at the beginning, it was vs at the beginning it was

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "At the beginning, it was" is used when the speaker wants to emphasize the temporal aspect of the beginning of something. On the other hand, "At the beginning it was" is used when the speaker wants to convey a more straightforward statement without emphasizing the temporal aspect.

Last updated: March 28, 2024 • 659 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the temporal aspect of the beginning of something.

"at the beginning, it was"

This phrase is used when the speaker wants to emphasize the temporal aspect of the beginning of something.

Examples:

At the beginning, it was hard to understand the concept.
At the beginning, it was just a small idea.
At the beginning, it was all chaos.
At the beginning, it was a struggle to get things done.
At the beginning, it was unclear how to proceed.

Show examples from the web [+]

At the beginning, it was awkward.
At the beginning, it was easier.
At the beginning, it was awkward.
At the beginning, it was the US and Europe who wanted to force the consent of the developing countries by the use of the concept of 'development'.
This is because, at the beginning, it was easy for them, due to an error on our part, an error by the Ertzaina, when we didn't put a firm end to that movement as we should have done at the time.
I mean, at the beginning, you know, it was so much fun.
I'll tell you that. I mean, at the beginning, you know, it was so much fun.
Mr President, Madam Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, of course the European Environmental Agency wasted a lot of time at the beginning, because it was three years until its location was decided.
And for a long time, at the beginning of season 2, It was like we were working on two different shows.
When the 2008 budget was prepared, at the beginning of 2007, it was not clear whether there would be payment credits corresponding to PECO credits.
I was delighted to note that, at the Council meeting of Trade and Industry Ministers at the beginning of December, it was impossible to obtain the necessary majority for adopting the Commission's proposal.
At the beginning of 2009, it was apparent that the European Union and the Member States were incapable of helping each other in the event of supply breakdowns involving either electricity or gas.
The first forum was held here in Strasbourg at the beginning of September, it was made up of people of authority, and I might mention that the rapporteur, Mr Seppänen, was also present.
At the beginning of July, it was announced http:/ that the first of these stations would be brought into service by the end of July, though no timetable was set for the other stations.
At the beginning, it nearly fell apart...
So, at the beginning, it's just happy families, years of that...
If you remember what I told you about FLS at the beginning, it's knowledge and skills.
At the beginning, it will be difficult.
But as I said at the beginning, it has not been a satisfactory process.
If we'd killed him at the beginning, it might have worked.

Alternatives:

In the beginning, it was
Initially, it was
At first, it was

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to convey a straightforward statement without emphasizing the temporal aspect.

"at the beginning it was"

This phrase is used when the speaker wants to convey a more straightforward statement without emphasizing the temporal aspect.

Examples:

At the beginning it was clear that we needed a change.
At the beginning it was obvious who the leader would be.
At the beginning it was evident that the project would be successful.
At the beginning it was certain that changes were needed.
At the beginning it was clear that the plan would work.

Show examples from the web [+]

I admit that at the beginning it was a little difficult.
I admit that at the beginning it was a little difficult.
It started out in the '80s, but at the beginning it was machines carving out of a foam block a model that was very, very fragile, and could not have any real use.
At the beginning it was a question of combating terrorism, then it was combating "transnational" crime and recently it was controlling avian influenza...
At the beginning, it was awkward.
At the beginning, it was easier.
And we changed strategy completely. I decided at the beginning - it was a pretty good thing to decide in the beginning, it's not what we're doing now - is to go to six countries.
At the beginning, it was awkward.
At the beginning of the negotiations it was emphasised that the Association Agreement would be based upon what is agreed in the WTO.
This practice, however, was discontinued at the beginning of 2002 because it was considered to fall under the heading of prohibited State aid.
At the beginning, it was the US and Europe who wanted to force the consent of the developing countries by the use of the concept of 'development'.
When we met with you and with Mr Daul, we said at the beginning that it was not going to be easy, because there is the prospect of the European elections and that inevitably puts a strain on things.
September 2001, but declined as the krona recovered against the euro thereafter, and at the beginning of 2002 it was clearly below the average level for the period under review.
At the beginning of January 2004 it was announced that the Commission was looking into the possibility of creating an official 'Made in Europe' label.
Mr President, Madam Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, of course the European Environmental Agency wasted a lot of time at the beginning, because it was three years until its location was decided.
At the beginning of November it was reported in various European media that several hundred immigrants from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea were employed in the Czech Republic under inhumane conditions.
This is because, at the beginning, it was easy for them, due to an error on our part, an error by the Ertzaina, when we didn't put a firm end to that movement as we should have done at the time.
When the 2008 budget was prepared, at the beginning of 2007, it was not clear whether there would be payment credits corresponding to PECO credits.
I was delighted to note that, at the Council meeting of Trade and Industry Ministers at the beginning of December, it was impossible to obtain the necessary majority for adopting the Commission's proposal.
At the beginning of 2009, it was apparent that the European Union and the Member States were incapable of helping each other in the event of supply breakdowns involving either electricity or gas.

Alternatives:

Initially it was
In the beginning it was
At first it was

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at the beginning, it was vs at the beginning it was

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