English Stall | Advanced English Grammar

Sponsored

Advertisement

Krishna Nath

Bengaluru, 45 Mins Ago

At the Beginning vs In the Beginning in English Wring & Speaking



At The Beginning/End vs In The Beginning/End


We use the phrases 'at the beginning' and 'at the end' to refer to a specific starting or ending point (of something) [There must be a reference, for example, at the beginning/end of something (a book, a movie, a speech, or something else)]


On the other hand, we use the phrases 'in the beginning' and 'in the end' when there's no specific starting or ending point [There's no reference, for example, in the beginning/end, we had to face some difficulties to find clients (Here 'in the beginning/end' means 'initially/finally')]



Let's Understand This In Detail By Taking Some Examples,


1) 'At the beginning' refers to the specific starting point of something (at the first or starting point). For example, Everyone should work hard at the beginning of their career.


* 'At the beginning' is used together with a noun such as a year, book, match, lecture, etc. For example, At the beginning of the lecture, match, etc.


* At the beginning = the start of a period (of something). For example, At the beginning of every month, we need to attend a professional development meeting.


2) On the other hand, 'In the beginning' is used to describe the start of a period of time (Here, 'In the beginning' means 'initially'.). For example, In the beginning, the company had all but three employees and a tiny garage as their office.


From the above sentence, we can infer that 'in the beginning' refers to when the company was new and had just started its journey.


So, 'In the beginning' is used to describe a situation that started some way initially and then perhaps it's changed.


For example, In the beginning, it was very difficult to handle everything, but later on, everything had become simple to manage.


* 'In the beginning' often contains contrast:


Example Sentences,

1) In the beginning, we didn't have enough money, clients or investors. We had to work hard just to keep our heads above water.

2) My first job after graduation was in a small village. It was really hard for me in the beginning. But, after I made a few friends and got used to my new routine, I really started to love village life.


3) 'At the end' is used to refer to the last part of something (at the last or finishing point). For example, It happens at the end of this book. | At the end of the match, we all will go home and complete our homework.


4) In the end = finally, at last. For example, In the end, I called a taxi. | In the end, they admitted that they were wrong.


Now Have A Look At The Following Example Sentences,

1) The audience gave him a big hand at the end of the speech.


2) He made some mistakes in the beginning. | In the end, we had to hire some workers.


In the beginning, it was very difficult to find clients. or At the beginning of my career as a consultant, it was very difficult to find clients.


3) They decided to leave the place in the end. or They decided to leave the place at the end of the conference.


4) The man worked very hard in the beginning


Don't Say: The man worked very hard at the beginning.

But, You Can Say: The man worked very hard at the beginning of his career. 


5) The actor did some negative roles at the begging of his career.


Or, You Can Say: In the beginning, the actor did some negative roles. or The actor did some negative roles in the beginning


6) He decided not to go in the end. or He decided not to go at the end of the meeting.


Do Not Say: He decided not to go in the end of the meeting.


7) At the end of every presentation, everybody gets bored and leaves the place to take a cup of coffee and refresh their minds.


Important Notes

* By the end = Before something ends [very last minute | last couple of hours/days/months]

For example, By the end of this month, there would be nothing left to do. | We must submit this application by the end of this week.

* The phrases 'At The Beginning' and 'At The End' act as Adjective Phrases. On the other hand, the phrases 'In The Beginning' and 'In The End' act as Adverb Phrases.


Liked By K. Nath and 2 others

Hey Tom!Do You Wanna Learn Advanced English Speaking? #lifestyle

View All 120 Comments

Krishna Nath

Bengaluru, 45 Mins Ago

Liked By K. Nath and 2 others

Hey Tom!Do You Wanna Learn Advanced English Speaking? #lifestyle

View All 120 Comments

Messages

Primary
General
Requests(5)
Bittu Debnath

Hey, WahtsUp, Bro? I'm Tom!

Madhab Pramanik

Hey, WahtsUp, Bro? I'm Tom!

Bittu Debnath

I'm Fine. And What about you?

Krishna Debnath

I feel Bored.

Rahul Swarnakar

I'll Go Tomorrow.

Subrata Majhi

I love you, bro. Do you?

Requests

Rahul Goldsmith

8 Mutual Friends

Soumitra Debnath

8 Mutual Friends

Madhab Pramanik

8 Mutual Friends

Customize Your View

Manage Your Font Size, Color and Background

Font Size

Aa

Aa

Color

Background

Light
Dim
Lights Out