From the start vs. from the onset

[Englishfan]

Hi, what is the difference between 'right from the start' and 'right from the onset'?
Thanks in advance.

[Alan]

Hi Englishfan,

Right from the start simply means from the very beginning. Right from the onset is similar in meaning but is really more dramatic because onset has the sense of the beginning of something having a great effect. Onset could refer for example to the start of an illness, the beginning of a campaign, the start of a serious debate or an argument.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Subjunctive