The difference between "in the beginning" and "at the beginning"

Imagine you're describing the start of a project. Do you say, "In the beginning, we faced challenges," or "At the beginning of the project, everything was on track"? Both sound good, but they mean slightly different things. Here's how to get it right every time.

At the beginning

"At the beginning" points to a specific moment in time — the very start of something. It's often followed by "of" to specify what you're referring to.

Examples:

"At the beginning of the year, there were three million unemployed."

"The gym was packed at the beginning of the game."

"Everyone introduced themselves at the beginning of the meeting."

"I was distracted at the beginning of the movie, so I missed the plot."

In the beginning

"In the beginning" describes the early stages of a situation or event, often suggesting that things changed later. Unlike "at the beginning," it doesn't use "of."

Examples:

"In the beginning, they weren’t sure if they could trust each other."

"Lisa was very motivated in the beginning, but now she's feeling burned out."

"The project felt overwhelming in the beginning, but it got easier with practice."

"In the beginning, learning English seemed difficult, but now it feels much more natural."

With these phrases clear, you'll always know how to start your story on the right note.

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