as a first starting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a first starting" is not correct in standard written English.
It is redundant because "first" and "starting" convey similar meanings, and it would be clearer to use one or the other. Example: "As a first step, we need to gather all the necessary materials."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

To combine a good representation of the relatively rare better-than-random models and an unconstrained search of the parameter space, an adaptive element was combined with random permutations in model generation: A moderately good model found by trial-and-error fitting was used as a first starting point.

BMC Biology

The issues mentioned above may have influenced the validity of the data, but the findings of the current research serve as a first starting point to examine consumers' attitudes and concerns about nudging and to stimulate future research using more rigorous scientific methods in examining a topic that requires much research attention.

BMC Public Health

Finally, some adaptations for the traditional illustration are presented as a first starting point for further discussion and in-depth research within the community.

Procedia Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The results showed that I had to be placed into an English as a Second Language program starting September. .

Huffington Post

Free classes for adults to learn English as a second language are starting up again this fall in Laguna Beach.

Los Angeles Times

The tri-Brandon infield experiment, with Hicks joining Crawford and Brandon Belt has probably run its course as Hicks is clearly over-exposed as a starting second baseman.

HuffPost

The Kansas City Chiefs, the N.F.L.'s last undefeated team at 7-0, hade has as impressive a worst-to-first start as any in recent memory.

The New York Times - Sports

I started as a third baseman.

The New York Times - Sports

Unbound started as a third-party seller for sex products like vibrators and lubricant.

TechCrunch

History of allergy developed later when he started ceftriaxon as a second choice for peripheral neuroborreliosis.

F1000Research

He cited the Republicans' vow to ban earmarks as a good first start.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating the commencement of an action or process, use either "as a first step" or "as a starting point" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using both "first" and "starting" together as they convey similar meanings. Choose the word that best fits the context to prevent unnecessary repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a first starting" functions as an introductory element, attempting to set the stage for an action or process. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect due to the redundancy of "first" and "starting". Ludwig AI confirms this assessment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a first starting" is considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundant nature. As Ludwig AI points out, "first" and "starting" convey similar meanings, making the phrase unnecessarily repetitive. While Ludwig provides some examples of its usage, it's best to opt for clearer and more concise alternatives like "as a first step" or "as a starting point". These alternatives maintain the intended meaning—indicating the commencement of an action or process—without compromising grammatical correctness. Be mindful of this distinction to enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a first step

Replaces 'starting' with 'step' for a more concise and common expression.

as a starting point

Replaces 'first' with 'point' to indicate the beginning of something.

to begin with

A common idiomatic phrase to indicate the start of a process or discussion.

initially

Uses an adverb to convey the idea of beginning or starting.

in the beginning

Simple and direct alternative for indicating the start.

at the outset

Formal alternative indicating the commencement of something.

as an initial measure

Highlights the action as a preliminary step.

as a preliminary action

Similar to 'initial measure' but emphasizes the action aspect.

for starters

Informal idiomatic expression to introduce the first item or action.

to kick things off

Informal and dynamic way to describe starting something, commonly used in project management or team meetings.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "as a first starting"?

You can use alternatives like "as a first step" or "as a starting point", which are grammatically correct and commonly used.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as a first starting"?

No, the phrase "as a first starting" is redundant because "first" and "starting" have similar meanings. It's better to use either "as a first step" or "as a starting point".

How do I use "as a first step" correctly in a sentence?

Use "as a first step" to indicate the initial action in a series of actions. For example: As a first step, we need to gather all the necessary materials.

What's the difference between "as a first step" and "as a starting point"?

"As a first step" implies a sequence of actions, while "as a starting point" indicates the beginning of a process or discussion. The choice depends on the specific context.