could begin with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could begin with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting a possible starting point or initial idea for a discussion, project, or narrative. Example: "The presentation could begin with an overview of the main objectives we aim to achieve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The work could begin with a flight scheduled for November.

The New York Times

He could begin with a concussed kitten on a ketamine trip, and work up from there.

The Guardian - Opinion

An educated guess regarding the price could begin with the iQ.

The New York Times

You could begin with ground meat, add spices of your choice and use other liquids in place of the stock.

The New York Times - Food

Your start date for the three-year period will be harder to quantify, but arguably could begin with this reply.

The Guardian - Money

Full Senate action on Judge Sotomayor's confirmation could begin with debate late this week or early next week.

The New York Times

The afternoon could begin with a supervision session with one of my team, discussing their objectives and how they're doing.

The Guardian

Suggesting the turnaround could begin with Sunday's game at Ibrox, he added: "There might be a few sympathetic voices in the ground, which would be nice.

The New York Times - Sports

Notwithstanding Boehner's antics, there is a possibility that a second Obama term could begin with major deficit reduction and serious reform of taxes and entitlements.

The New Yorker

For example, in a speed game, a player could begin with five minutes and receive an additional 10 or 15 seconds after making each move.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The solution to Europe's longest-running conflict could begin with the agreement to remove two barricades dividing Ledra Street in Nicosia tomorrow.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could begin with", ensure that the subsequent action or item is logically connected to the overall context. This helps maintain clarity and coherence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "could begin with", as this can make your writing sound repetitive and uninspired. Instead, vary your sentence structure by using alternative phrases like "may start with" or "one option is to begin with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could begin with" functions as a modal verb phrase introducing a suggestion or possibility. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates a potential starting point or initial action. It sets up a hypothetical scenario or option, implying that other possibilities exist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could begin with" functions as a modal verb phrase to introduce a suggestion or potential starting point. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While adaptable to different registers, it is best used when proposing a possible course of action without asserting it as the definitive choice. To avoid repetition, alternatives like "might commence with" or "may start with" can be used. Overall, "could begin with" is a versatile and widely accepted phrase for suggesting an initial step or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might commence with

Replaces "could begin" with "might commence", indicating a slightly more formal or tentative start.

may start with

Substitutes "could begin" with "may start", offering a less assertive and more speculative initiation.

can initiate with

Uses "can initiate" instead of "could begin", suggesting a possibility of starting with a particular action or element.

might be launched with

Replaces "could begin" with "might be launched", implying a more formal or planned start.

potentially open with

Uses "potentially open" instead of "could begin", suggesting an initial possibility or option.

could be initiated by

Emphasizes the cause or trigger of the beginning, rather than the beginning itself.

one possibility is to start with

Phrases the beginning as one potential option among others.

an initial approach could involve

Focuses on the approach to beginning, suggesting a method or strategy.

a starting point could be

Highlights a specific location or aspect as the origin or commencement.

it may be advisable to commence with

Suggests a recommendation for starting with something specific, implying a strategic advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "could begin with" in a sentence?

The phrase "could begin with" suggests a possible starting point. For example, "The project "could begin with" a thorough risk assessment."

What's a more formal alternative to "could begin with"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "might commence with" or "may be initiated by" instead of "could begin with".

Is there a difference between "could begin with" and "should begin with"?

"Could begin with" suggests a possibility, while "should begin with" implies a recommendation or necessity. The former is less assertive than the latter.

What are some situations where "could begin with" is appropriate?

"Could begin with" is appropriate when suggesting a potential action, introducing a possible starting point for a project, or proposing an initial step in a process. For example, "The investigation "could begin with" interviewing key witnesses."