I hear both of them used interchangeably, but from I have heard, there is a difference. I looked online and the explanations are confusing, they sound similar. What is the difference?
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The two expressions are interchangeable, but The phrase "start at the beginning" cannot be replaced by "start in the beginning. "At the beginning is much more popular. Where "to begin with" and "at first" are used "in the beginning" should not be used instead. "In the beginning" suggests a little longer period than "at the beginning."
@OverlyCurious posted:I hear both of them used interchangeably, but from I have heard, there is a difference. I looked online and the explanations are confusing, they sound similar. What is the difference?
Hi, OverlyCurious—Could you provide some example sentences? Eff-Six is right that both can be used and that they are not always interchangeable.
Rather than taking the time to think of all types of examples for you, I'd appreciate your giving us an example of something you're considering saying.
At the beginning of a sentence, "in the beginning" has a biblical quality because the first sentence of the King James translation of the Bible uses it:
- "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).
Hello, thank you F6 for the help. Yes David here are some examples,
- At the beginning, I had to study 8 hours, now I only have to study 3 hours.
- In the beginning, I had to study 8 hours, now I only have to study 3 hours.
- At the beginning, the relationship was perfect, but after a while, the relationship started to sour.
- In the beginning, the relationship was perfect, but after a while, the relationship started to sour.
Let me know what you think! Thank you!
Hello again, O.C.—Either prepositional phrase ("at the beginning" or "in the beginning") is possible in each of those examples.
In my opinion, "at the beginning" would be more natural if you had in mind something, such as a school term or a vacation, with a starting point.
"In the beginning," in contrast, would be the default choice, signifying the beginning of the speaker's studying or the beginning of the relationship.
I understand, in what situations would "in or at" not be interchangeable? I still don't understand that part.
Hi, OverlyCurious,
@OverlyCurious posted:I understand, in what situations would "in or at" not be interchangeable? I still don't understand that part.
Longman Dictionary of Common Errors, page '139':
"Like at first, in the beginning introduces a situation which is in contrast with a later situation. However, 'in the beginning' is less common and suggests that the speaker is looking a long way back into the past to the period of time immediately after something began:
- In the beginning, when the first settlers arrived, law and order didn't exist."
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"At the beginning refers to (1) the point in time when something begins.
- At the beginning of each lesson, there is usually a revision exercise.
(2) the place where something begins.
- At the beginning of the novel, there is a long description of the farm where Daniel was born and grew up.
Unlike in the beginning, at the beginning is usually followed by 'of': 'at the beginning of the week, holiday, film'.
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Hello Ahmed, thank you for your response! I understand what you mean. Thanks again.