for starters when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for starters when" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to introduce a point or example, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "For starters when discussing the topic, we should consider the main issues at hand."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

For starters, when did cancer become funny?

The New York Times

For starters, when did "chemical" become a dirty word?

The New York Times

For starters, when a message is sent from a Gmail user to a Yahoo user, for example, it travels on the wide open highway of the Internet, vulnerable to theft.

The New York Times - Tech

For starters, when a critic calls a new release "a film" these days, there's a chance that what she (and you) are looking at wasn't made with film processes but was created, from pre-visualization to final credits, with digital technologies.

The New York Times

For starters, when p53 itself is mutated, MDM2 cannot attack it.

Science Magazine

So for starters, when you open the app there's a new home page.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Landry and Casspi come off the bench and do the dirty work for the starters when called upon.

Huffington Post

Cashman's faith in the lineup was one reason he did not trade for a starter when injuries depleted the rotation.

The New York Times - Sports

He was not even seriously considered as a replacement for starter Chien-Ming Wang when tests revealed Monday that Wang, a right-hander, would miss at least 10 weeks because of a sprained ligament and a torn tendon in his right foot.

The New York Times - Sports

Things really took off for the late starter when she starred in Human Remains with old friend Rob Brydon - and won an RTS award.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm all for speed, efficiency and reliability when it comes to other aspects of daily life — transport, communications and finance, for starters — but not when making espresso.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "for starters when" in formal writing. Instead, use clearer alternatives like "to begin with" or "first of all" followed by a complete sentence for better readability.

Common error

Don't combine "for starters" with a "when" clause directly. This creates a grammatically awkward construction. Instead, separate the introductory phrase from the conditional clause, ensuring each part is grammatically sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for starters when" is intended to serve as an introductory element, indicating the beginning of a series of points, but the addition of "when" creates a grammatically incorrect structure. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct. This is evident from the usage examples where the structure is often followed by a clause introduced by 'when'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science & Research

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "for starters when" appears in various online sources, it's grammatically incorrect and not recommended for formal writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase lacks proper structure and clarity. Better alternatives include "to begin with", "first of all", or rewriting the sentence for improved grammatical correctness. Though it appears across News & Media, Science & Research and Wiki categories, avoid using it in formal contexts due to its awkwardness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a start when

A more British English alternative to "for starters".

first of all when

A common and clear way to introduce the first point in a series, while retaining the 'when' clause.

to begin with when

Replaces "for starters" with a more formal introductory phrase, maintaining the "when" clause.

initially when

Similar to 'for starters' but more concise.

as a starting point when

More descriptive and emphasizes the beginning of a discussion or process.

in the first place when

Emphasizes that the point being made is fundamental and should be considered from the beginning.

to start when

A shortened version, focusing on initiating an action or discussion.

at the beginning when

Highlights the temporal aspect of the beginning of something.

primarily when

Emphasizes the importance of the initial point.

as an initial step when

Highlights that what follows is the first action in a sequence.

FAQs

What does "for starters" mean?

"For starters" means "to begin with" or "as an initial point". It's used to introduce the first item in a series of points or examples.

Is it correct to say "for starters when"?

No, the phrase "for starters when" is grammatically awkward and not considered correct. Use alternatives like "first of all" or "to begin with" instead.

How can I use "for starters" correctly in a sentence?

Use "for starters" followed by a comma and a complete sentence. For example, "For starters, we need to gather all the necessary data."

What are some alternatives to "for starters"?

Alternatives include "to begin with", "initially", "first of all", or "as a starting point". The best choice depends on the specific context.