if we were to start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if we were to start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing hypothetical situations or proposing a course of action that has not yet been taken. Example: "If we were to start the project next week, we would have ample time to complete it before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"We could lose years of work if we were to start from scratch".

The New York Times

If we were to start over and do it again, we would definitely start with something less ambitious.

Cornell University

If we were to start lining up all the garbage trucks that Americans fill in two years they would stretch from the earth to the moon!

Columbia University

If we were to start this project over again, we would choose to use the synchronous transfer mechanism from the start.

Cornell University

But without the approval of the Assad regime there is an entirely different legal situation if we were to start getting involved in military action in Syria".

The Guardian

Indeed, if we were to start judging parents on the basis of their political beliefs, we would change the concept of family for the rest of time...

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

If we are to start telling people what to wear, maybe we should ban suits.

The Guardian

"We know that we will need to improve significantly on our performances in the next test series against them if we are to start the international summer on a positive note," Miller said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet if we are to start the process of healing these divisions and rebuilding our politics, we first need to understand the degree of people's resentment and alienation in the face of economic and technological forces beyond their control.

The Guardian - Opinion

We need to ban single-use plastic bottles if we are to start turning the tide on plastic in our environment, and especially the dangers of microplastics in our water supply.

The Guardian

Miller added: "We are anticipating another very competitive series against New Zealand and know that we will need to improve significantly on our performances in the recent Test series against them if we are to start the international summer on a positive note.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if we were to start" to introduce scenarios that might deviate from the current plan. By highlighting alternative approaches, you foster proactive discussion and adaptability.

Common error

Avoid using "if we were to start" without a clear explanation of what would happen next. Failing to complete the conditional statement leaves the idea unfinished and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if we were to start" functions as an adverbial clause of condition, introducing a hypothetical scenario. It sets the stage for exploring potential outcomes or actions, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

29%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if we were to start" serves as a versatile tool for introducing hypothetical scenarios and prompting discussions about alternative actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse fields such as news, academia, and science. While generally neutral in register, its effectiveness lies in clearly outlining the consequences or outcomes of the proposed hypothetical action. By steering clear of incomplete conditional statements and embracing its potential for proactive discussions, writers can harness the full power of "if we were to start" to convey their ideas effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if we were to commence

Replaces 'start' with 'commence', adding a slightly more formal tone.

should we initiate

Uses 'should' to introduce a conditional clause with 'initiate' instead of 'start', implying a more formal or deliberate approach.

in the event that we began

Expresses a hypothetical situation using 'in the event that' and 'began', suggesting a possible future action.

assuming we were to undertake

Replaces 'start' with 'undertake', emphasizing a commitment to begin a task or project.

supposing we were to launch

Uses 'launch' instead of 'start', implying the beginning of a new venture or product.

if we were setting out to

Replaces 'start' with 'setting out to', emphasizing the intention or purpose behind the beginning.

on the assumption that we started

This phrase uses a stronger term and more formal register.

imagine we were to trigger

This phrase uses a different verb choice.

were we to get going

Replaces "start" with the phrasal verb "get going", making it slightly more informal.

if we were to activate

Replaces "start" with "activate", suggesting initiating something that is ready to function.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if we were to start" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "should we initiate", "in the event that we began", or "assuming we were to undertake".

What's a simpler way to say "if we were to start"?

For a simpler alternative, you could use phrases like "if we began" or "if we started", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "if we were to start"?

"If we were to start" is appropriate when discussing hypothetical scenarios or proposing a course of action that has not yet been taken. It's useful for exploring possibilities and their potential outcomes.

Is there a difference in meaning between "if we were to start" and "if we started"?

While both phrases introduce a conditional clause, "if we were to start" often implies a greater degree of hypothetical consideration or a more formal tone compared to the simpler "if we started".