The expression was first used in America at the beginning of the twentieth century.

VOA: special.2009.11.15

"No previous pandemic has been detected so early or watched so closely, in real-time, right at the very beginning."

VOA: standard.2009.12.25

the retention bonuses were put in place at the beginning of 2008, before AIG received any bail-out money.

VOA: standard.2009.03.15

He says interest in solar power is growing. "I actually believe we are at the beginning of a surge in activity in investing in renewable energy.

VOA: standard.2009.10.27

They'll come back at the beginning of September and hope to share not only their summer experiences, but also another term in Congress, and another year rooming together.

VOA: standard.2010.08.07

Although June's total was higher than the number recorded in May, both figures are significantly lower than job-loss totals recorded at the beginning of the year a fact Romer was quick to point out.

VOA: standard.2009.07.02

Whether anything happens remains to be seen. President Medvedev said on Tuesday that no one is dizzy with success over Russia's struggle with corruption and that Russians are at the very,very beginning of the road in the fight against it.

VOA: standard.2009.05.15

"But President Obama is starting to show that he is not quite as popular, or that he does not walk on water in the way that many people thought at the beginning of his term and his popularity has come down."

VOA: standard.2009.10.23