before we begin with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we begin with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a topic or point of discussion prior to starting a main activity or presentation. Example: "Before we begin with the main presentation, I would like to share some background information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Before we begin with the actual results, we discuss the metadata, or results from participant selection and demographic parts of the survey.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Before we begin with Task A, we will introduce the Mimics software environment, and more specific the menus, the toolbars and the windows (Fig. 2) as well as useful shortcuts (Table 1).

3D Printing in Medicine

Before we begin with the awards, we'd like to wish Social Security a happy 77th birthday!

Huffington Post

Before we begin with this week's awards, we have a few odds and ends to get out of the way first.

Huffington Post

A couple odd, yet entertaining facts before we begin: With the backdrop of a potential work stoppage, Thursday night's first round drew 1.3 million less viewers than in 2010.

Huffington Post

Before we begin with Democrats, here, I'd like to at least mention two journalists who, this week, did the right thing -- both of them, by walking away from the shiny object in front of them.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Wouldn't it be better to change our behavior — to reduce our use of fossil fuels — before we begin fiddling with the planet's basic life-support systems?

The New York Times

Before giving the main results, we begin with a lemma.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Before stating the main results, we begin with the following lemma.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Before proving our main theorems, we begin with the following lemma.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Before stating our main results, we begin with the following lemma (Second Mean Value Theorem) which will play an important role in the proof of our main results.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before we begin with" to clearly signal an introduction or preliminary step before diving into the main content, ensuring your audience understands the structure.

Common error

Avoid using "before we begin with" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your introductions with alternatives like "let's start with" or "first, we need to consider" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we begin with" functions as an introductory phrase. It sets the stage for the main content by signaling that preliminary remarks or actions will precede the primary topic. Ludwig indicates its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before we begin with" serves as a useful and grammatically correct way to introduce preliminary remarks or actions before the main content. As noted by Ludwig, it is suitable across various contexts, although it appears more frequently in news and media, science, and wiki environments. While its frequency is uncommon, varying its usage with alternatives such as "prior to commencing with" can enhance writing engagement. Understanding its function and communicative purpose allows for its effective use in different communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to commencing with

Emphasizes a more formal tone, replacing "begin" with "commencing".

ahead of starting with

Uses "ahead of" to indicate something comes before, and "starting" instead of "begin".

in advance of beginning with

Uses "in advance of" to specify doing something earlier.

previous to initiating with

Replaces "before" with "previous to" and "begin" with "initiating", increasing formality.

before initiating

A shortened version, focusing on initiating an activity.

first, let's start with

Directly indicates the first step, which is starting with something.

preceding the start of

Uses a more descriptive phrase to replace "before we begin with".

prior to the commencement of

Similar to "prior to commencing with" but more elaborate.

preliminary to starting

Indicates an initial or preparatory action before starting.

as a prelude to starting

Frames the action as an introduction to what follows.

FAQs

What does "before we begin with" mean?

The phrase "before we begin with" is used to introduce something that will be discussed or done prior to the main activity or topic. It sets the stage for what's to come.

What can I say instead of "before we begin with"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to commencing with", "ahead of starting with", or "first, let's start with" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "before we begin with"?

Yes, "before we begin with" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It follows standard English grammar rules.

How can I effectively use "before we begin with" in a presentation?

Start by using "before we begin with" to outline the agenda or provide background information, helping your audience understand the context before you delve into the main points.