"At the beginning of" 是一个英语短语，主要用于表示时间或顺序的起点，意为“在...的开始”，“当...刚开始时”。这个短语可以用来指明事件、时期、过程或任何有起始点的事物的开端。

**一、基本用法**

1. 表示时间的起点：

   - At the beginning of this year, I set myself some challenging goals.

   （今年初，我给自己设定了一些挑战性的目标。）

2. 指出某个过程或活动的初期：

   - At the beginning of the lecture, the professor introduced the main topic.

   （讲座开始时，教授介绍了主要话题。）

3. 描述故事或叙述的开场：

   - At the beginning of the novel, the protagonist is introduced as a humble farmer.

   （小说一开始，主角被描绘成一个普通的农民。）

**二、同义短语辨析**

1. **In the beginning**: 这个短语与 "at the beginning of" 类似，但通常用于更正式或文学的语境中。

   - In the beginning, there was chaos and confusion.

   （起初，一片混乱和困惑。）

2. **To start with**: 这个短语常用于引出论点或讨论的初始点。

   - To start with, let's discuss the most important aspect.

   （首先，让我们讨论最重要的方面。）

3. **Initially**: 这是个副词，强调事情的最初状态或阶段。

   - Initially, the project seemed straightforward, but complications arose later.

   （最初，这个项目看起来很简单，但后来出现了复杂情况。）

4. **Right at the outset**: 这个短语强调一开始就发生的事情。

   - Right at the outset, it was clear that the project would be difficult.

   （一开始就很明显，这个项目会很困难。）

**三、例句与同义短语替换**

- **原句**: At the beginning of the meeting, we will go over the agenda.

  **替换**: In the beginning of the meeting, we'll review the schedule.

- **原句**: At the beginning of their journey, they were full of enthusiasm.

  **替换**: Initially, they were brimming with excitement on their trip.

- **原句**: At the beginning of the school year, the students are always eager to learn.

  **替换**: Right at the outset of the academic year, pupils are usually keen to study.