en un principio

= at an earlier stage, initially, originally, at one time, to begin with

Ex. At an earlier stage, the Library of Congress had decided to retain certain pre-AACR headings, in order to avoid the expense of extensive recataloguing.

Ex. Initially, it is necessary that the scheme be published and available for purchase, and that its use is generally promoted.

Ex. A relative index, as originally proposed by Melville Dewey, contains at least one entry for each subject in the scheme.

Ex. At one time it was hoped that the new edition would be published in two volumes in 1973, but this proved impossible, and it began to seem that the publication would begin to parallel the publication of the full English edition of UDC, with its ever-postponed completion date.

Ex. Copies tend to fade, especially if left exposed to daylight, and some of the colours are not strong to begin with.

* * *

= at an earlier stage, initially, originally, at one time, to begin with

Ex: At an earlier stage, the Library of Congress had decided to retain certain pre-AACR headings, in order to avoid the expense of extensive recataloguing.

Ex: Initially, it is necessary that the scheme be published and available for purchase, and that its use is generally promoted.

Ex: A relative index, as originally proposed by Melville Dewey, contains at least one entry for each subject in the scheme.

Ex: At one time it was hoped that the new edition would be published in two volumes in 1973, but this proved impossible, and it began to seem that the publication would begin to parallel the publication of the full English edition of UDC, with its ever-postponed completion date.

Ex: Copies tend to fade, especially if left exposed to daylight, and some of the colours are not strong to begin with.