English Language & Usage Asked by Pukku on October 5, 2021
I want to write something along the lines of:
For the purposes of this study, X was developed from scratch.
But the “scratch” here doesn’t sound very formal, does it?
Is “from the ground up” any better than “from scratch” in terms of formality? I guess no?
What would be a good way to express this, without sounding too lame? I do want to make it clear that the X really was built, uh, from the ground up.
For what it’s worth, the X here is a completely abstract thing. (Think of software, for example.)
"From the ground up", which you mentioned, is actually fine in a professional context, as well, if you don't mind the mental association with buildings and construction.
Correct answer by filistinist on October 5, 2021
Hauskka Tavata!
We don't know why you're asking the question, but let's assume that the reader needs to be impressed by the fact that this is your work and no one else's. Bear in mind that while you've asked a perfectly sensible question about English colloquial usage, your question is really about marketing.
You could try...
For the purpose of this study, X was developed originally and without dependence on the paradigms of existing libraries.
I'm cheating. I looked at your profile and saw you're a C++ programmer, so I'm assuming that the purpose of your statement is to describe a software project.
"Original" stresses the idea that it is your creativity and talent that are the foundation of the project.
"Dependence" casts doubt on the competition, or the works of others you want seen as less valuable than yourself.
"Paradigms" is one of a million words that have become cliché, but what has made them cliché is their recognizability in a business context. Using the word can help overcome the ubiquitous gulf between you the artist and they the business people. You're speaking "their language." It also serves to cast doubt on the quality of the other projects as they will be perceived as old-fashioned (just as the word is becoming perceived as old-fashioned).
Answered by Join JBH on Codidact on October 5, 2021
Trying to find a non-colloquial (plain english clear to non native speakers) alternative is quite hard. I prefer to use from the beginning in most cases.
Answered by David on October 5, 2021
Perhaps ex nihilo? Given its Romance origin, it ought to be more than suited.
Answered by John on October 5, 2021
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