Collocations about Beginnings and Endings

Collocations about Beginnings and Endings

Hi English learners! Here is a new English lesson. We will be learning collocations about beginnings and endings.

From beginning to end

If something is good or bad from beginning to end, it is so all the way.  

• The book was so exciting from beginning to end.
• Will you tell me the whole story from beginning to end?

Collocations about beginnings and endings

To start from the beginning

The meaning of the collocation is obvious. It invites to start things from the first thing in a series.

• Will you please start from the beginning and tell me exactly how it happened?
• When they ask you about it in the police, start from the beginning and tell them all about it.

From start to finish

If something happens from start to finish, then it is so from the beginning to the end.

• The movie is great. It keeps your attention from start to finish.
• The story he told her was a lie from start to finish.

Once and for all

The meaning of the collocation is to settle things completely.

• Now, let’s put an end to our dispute once and for all. 
• Brenda lived in Italy for more than ten years but now she’s back in England once and for all.

Collocations about beginnings and endings

First and foremost

The collocation first and foremost is used to emphasize the most basic quality of something.

• Although Sandra wrote a novel, she is first and foremost a journalist.
• I must say, I am concerned for children’s safety first and foremost rather than for anything else.

From/at the outset

Use the collocation at/from the outset to say something happens from the beginning.

• It was undoubtedly clear from the outset that we were going to have problems with our tourist guide.
• Maria told Steven at the outset that she was not interested in dating him.

Right from the start

The meaning of the collocation is obvious. It emphasises that something happens from the very beginning.

• Right from the start, it was perfectly clear that the children didn’t like living in Australia.
• The new employee showed excellent communication skills, adaptability and empathy right from the start.

Collocations about beginnings and endings

Initial reaction

The collocation refers to something happening at the very beginning of something.

• When Michael asked me to marry him, my initial reaction was to accept but later on, I decided to give it more thought.
• When the war started, the initial reaction of the citizens was disbelief.

First thought

The first thought is the one which comes to you first, before any others.

• When I heard what happened my first thought was to call him and ask him about it.
• Our accommodation in the hostel wasn’t as bad as I first thought.

To get off to a good/bad start

If you get off to a good start, you started it very well and vice versa – if you start off to a bad start, you aren’t very successful in it.

• Listen to me carefully! If we start off to a good start this year, we might get an International Business Award.
• Many musicians fail because they get off to a bad start.

Collocations about beginnings and endings

Bitter end

The phrase refers to finishing something difficult no matter what.

• The factory workers were ready to fight for their rights to the bitter end.
• Despite some unpleasant scenes, Rob and Fiona decided to watch the film to the bitter end.