At first, in the start, at the start/beginning Q: 1. At first, initially, originally, in the beginning Usually "at first" is used to describe the following situation: When it begins, the situation is such-and-such. Later it turns out to be a contrast to the beginning situation.
I would like to know: - whether it is a MUST that the beginning situation has to be the contrast of the later situation. (eg At first I liked the girl. Now I still liked the girl. Is it grammatically correct?) - if so, do other words such as "initially, originally, in the beginning" have this requirement?
2. In the start Does such a phrase exist?
3. at the start/beginning - is it true we MUST use it like the following structure? at the start/beginning of something
- is it possible for me to use them in the sense of "at first"?
Top answer
1. It is somewhat unusual not to make a contrast after "at first". " to a standing person.
— CalifJim
1.
It is somewhat unusual not to make a contrast after "at first".
" to a standing person.
) would sound equally odd in that context.
2.
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1. It is somewhat unusual not to make a contrast after "at first". "At first I liked her; now I still like her." [not "liked"] It sounds odd without sounding exactly incorrect, much as it would sound strange to say "Stand up!" to a standing person. In the sense of "at first", yes, other expressions ("initially", etc.) would sound equally odd in that context.
Is "at the start/beginning" the same as "at first" which they must make a contrast?
And it was what I was told relating to "at the beginning (of something)", "in the beginning": - in the beginning means "at first" - at the beginning is usually used with "of something" to mean the point in time/place etc. that something starts.