allow me to start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allow me to start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to politely request permission to begin a discussion, presentation, or any other activity. Example: "Allow me to start by thanking everyone for being here today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Allow me to start with a little adventure in the abuse of logic.

Independent

'Hopefully, this movie will allow me to start a new path,' he says.

The Guardian - Film

Given that we were in Zuccotti Park, our nation's most revolutionary spot, allow me to start a campaign: Down with the cameras!

The New Yorker

Allow me to start at the bottom with the little creatures who scurry around British conservatism's fake grassroots, for that is where it began.

The Guardian - Opinion

These tools allow me to start teasing apart the threads of development and evolution that underlie small feathered-dinosaur growth, pterosaur biogeography, the faunal composition of the Badlands, and the reproduction of Chinese dinosaurs". Boessenecker, R.W. and A.W. Poust.

University of California, Berkeley

The immersive language experience at Middlebury helped to allow me to start thinking in the language, which has made it possible for me to conduct research with both primary and secondary Chinese-language resources.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

That allows me to start the next morning.

The New York Times - Food

It allowed me to start to 'long out' my record label".

The Guardian - Music

That book, and my mum's guidance, allowed me to start my journey into cooking.

The Guardian

"The time and space that Soul Mountain provided allowed me to start writing my dream," she said.

The New York Times

Amazingly, Sam allows me to start him off at the Ag Museum (as it's called locally).

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While generally acceptable, this phrase may sound overly formal in casual settings. Choose a simpler alternative like "let me begin" if appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "allow me to start" repeatedly in casual conversations or informal writing. Overuse can make your communication sound stiff and unnatural. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "let's begin" or "I'll start by."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allow me to start" functions as an introductory expression. It is used to politely request or indicate the beginning of a speech, presentation, or action. As shown in Ludwig, it precedes the content being introduced.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

16%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allow me to start" is a polite and relatively formal phrase used to introduce a discussion, presentation, or action. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, including news media, academia, and formal business settings. While it is generally acceptable, it's important to consider the audience and context to avoid sounding overly formal. Alternatives such as "let me begin" or "may I start" may be more appropriate in casual situations. Use the phrase thoughtfully to set a respectful and courteous tone when initiating a new topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let me begin

A more direct and slightly less formal way to initiate a statement or action.

permit me to commence

A more formal and polite way of asking for permission to begin.

if you'll permit me to begin

Adds a conditional element, emphasizing the politeness of the request.

may I start

A simple and direct question seeking permission to start.

let's begin

A more inclusive phrase, suggesting a joint start.

I'd like to start by

Highlights the speaker's intention and preferred starting point.

I propose we begin with

Suggests a specific starting point and implies a structured approach.

with your permission, I'll start

Explicitly requests permission before beginning.

before we proceed, let me start

Indicates that the starting point is a preliminary step before continuing.

first, I'd like to address

Focuses on addressing a specific topic at the beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "allow me to start" in a sentence?

You can use "allow me to start" to politely introduce a topic or action, such as "Allow me to start by thanking our sponsors" or "Allow me to start with a brief overview".

What are some alternatives to "allow me to start"?

Alternatives include "let me begin", "may I start", or "I'd like to start", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "allow me to start" formal or informal?

"Allow me to start" is generally considered polite and somewhat formal. In very casual settings, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "allow me to start" and "let me start"?

"Allow me to start" is more polite and implies seeking permission, while "let me start" is more direct and less formal. The choice depends on the context and your desired tone.