I prefer to start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I prefer to start" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a personal choice or inclination regarding the beginning of an activity or task. Example: "I prefer to start the meeting with a brief overview of our agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Like all players, I prefer to start games, but when you watch from the bench you become anxious to get on and play and do something.

Independent

I prefer to start at the staircase entrance at the promenade's western end, which rises from the Viaduc des Arts, the red-brick arches filled with boutiques and galleries.

The New York Times - Travel

This is now a proxy battle in America's commentariat's war between conservative austerians and liberal Keynesians, but Mr Cowen wishes it weren't.I prefer to start by understanding the roots of poor ECB policy.

The Economist

If you're so inclined you can read into it a link to your childhood or the rest of America, but I just like it because I prefer to start and end my nights with a "no, thanks".

Vice

When a client approaches me about launching a simple blog for a beginner, I prefer to start them off with Ipage, because everything is simple, easy to follow, and the price is great.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I preferred to start in the middle of the week, not a Monday, due to a conference I was going to attend a week later.

Huffington Post

If I had anything to do with it, I would prefer to start at ground zero somewhere else, Philadelphia or somewhere..

Los Angeles Times

I'd prefer to start from the assumption of what skills you need to run an organisation like the BBC.

The Guardian

But between starting well and finishing well, or starting well and finishing bad, I'd prefer to start badly and finish well".

Independent

But I'd prefer to start, like anybody would". Bibby started three newcomers at Western Michigan in Stewart, his brother Rodrick, for Derrick Craven at the point, and power forward Jeff McMillan.

Los Angeles Times

I can't believe I'm the only person who would prefer to start a long-haul flight from Europe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I prefer to start" when clearly indicating your favored approach to beginning a task or activity. This phrase is useful for setting expectations and indicating leadership or initiative.

Common error

While acceptable, "I prefer to start" can sometimes sound too informal in highly professional or academic settings. Consider alternatives like "I recommend commencing with..." for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I prefer to start" functions as a declarative statement expressing a personal preference for the initiation of an action. Ludwig AI indicates that this is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, ranging from personal choices to professional strategies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I prefer to start" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood way to express a personal preference for initiating an activity. While simple, it effectively communicates a favored approach, helping set expectations and guide actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its adaptability makes it suitable for various scenarios, though more formal alternatives might be better suited for professional contexts. While the phrase is rated "Rare" in frequency, it appears across diverse sources such as news, science and wikis. When using "I prefer to start", remember to be clear about the reason behind your preference to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'd rather begin

Expresses the same preference using 'rather' instead of 'prefer'.

I favor starting with

Substitutes 'prefer' with 'favor', indicating a slight liking for beginning something.

My preference is to begin

Nominalizes the preference, making it the subject of the sentence.

I think it's best to begin

Expresses an opinion about the best course of action to begin.

I'd like to commence with

Uses a more formal verb, 'commence', instead of 'start', indicating a more official tone.

I lean towards initiating

Suggests a direction or inclination towards initiating an action.

I'm inclined to initiate

Replaces 'prefer' with 'inclined' and 'start' with 'initiate', suggesting a leaning towards a particular action.

I'm disposed to start

Implies a natural tendency or willingness to begin.

I find it better to start

Focuses on the perceived benefit of starting.

I'm keen to begin

Expresses enthusiasm for starting something.

FAQs

How can I use "I prefer to start" in a sentence?

Use "I prefer to start" to express your favored method of beginning an action. For example, "I prefer to start the meeting with a review of the agenda".

What are some alternatives to "I prefer to start"?

You can use alternatives like "I'd rather begin", "I'd like to commence with", or "My preference is to begin" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I prefer starting" instead of "I prefer to start"?

Both "I prefer to start" and "I prefer starting" are grammatically correct. The former uses an infinitive, while the latter uses a gerund. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

When is it more appropriate to use "I prefer to start" versus a more formal alternative?

"I prefer to start" is suitable for most everyday situations and informal professional settings. For very formal or academic contexts, consider using phrases like "I recommend commencing with" to maintain a professional tone.