initially start with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially start with" is not considered correct in standard written English due to redundancy.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the beginning of a process or sequence, but it's better to choose a more concise expression. Example: "To solve the problem, we should initially start with gathering all necessary data."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

So even though we wired the building, and it's perfectly set up for any kind of super updated high technology, we didn't want to initially start with the highest level of use of the system.

The New York Times

Hopefully fairly few if the show wants to create its own identity, but while it might initially start with mostly new characters, there's definitely the possibility of nods to old ones further down the line (season 2 has already been commissioned).

Independent

In Jakarta, Grab wants to hire 150 people, while in Vietnam it will initially start with a team of 25.

TechCrunch

The collection of the real requirement typically happens in parallel with the design process, and system designers initially start with a reference model and architecture as a first-order approximation of the actual system architecture.

From Machine-To-Machine to the Internet of Things Introduction to a New Age of Intelligence

As in the P-ER1 protocol, we initially start with an active hammerhead ribozyme configuration, then, search for a sequence combination to be placed in the effector binding region that distorts the active hammerhead motifs.

Journal of Cheminformatics

We intend to initially start with five different types of beer, eventually increasing to ten.

Bplans

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If you look at how we approached this space; we initially started with the main room on the first floor, eventually taking over the whole building".

The New York Times

As these things tend to go, this meltdown in vital transport infrastructure initially started with the odd short circuit here and there.

The Guardian - Opinion

The lower half of the screen is taken up by games based on Cartoon Network shows, initially starting with about five of the 250 online games the network has developed, such as Karate Wieners, in which players swipe the pad to make a cartoon hand karate-chop flying objects in half.

The New York Times

But skeptics quickly emerged, saying some of the main elements of the plan may not be as good as they looked initially, starting with whether it will truly deliver as much debt relief to Greece as promised, and whether it is sufficient to buttress potentially troubled banks.

The New York Times

The X dictionary is initially started with zeros.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "initially start with" is understandable, aim for conciseness by using "begin with" or "start by". This improves clarity and flow in writing.

Common error

Avoid using both "initially" and "start with" together. Choose one or the other to avoid redundancy and make your writing more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially start with" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action or process. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is often seen as somewhat redundant and simpler alternatives are preferred.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initially start with" is used to indicate the beginning of a process or activity. While understandable, Ludwig AI highlights that it's often considered redundant and that simpler, more concise alternatives such as "begin with" or "start by" are preferable. The phrase appears in a variety of contexts, including science, news, and wiki sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, consider replacing "initially start with" with a more streamlined alternative to improve clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin with

More concise and grammatically preferred alternative.

start by

Emphasizes the action of starting something.

commence with

Formal and emphasizes the beginning of a process.

initiate with

Focuses on the act of initiating something.

initially begin with

Slightly less redundant but still contains some repetition.

first start with

Similar in meaning, but the word order makes it slightly less common.

preliminarily start with

Adds emphasis on the preliminary nature of the start.

launch with

Implies a more formal or significant beginning.

introduce with

Suggests presenting or starting something in a specific way.

kick off with

Informal, suggesting an energetic start.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "initially start with"?

You can use alternatives like "begin with", "start by", or "commence with" depending on the context.

Is "initially start with" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "initially start with" is considered somewhat redundant. It's better to use either "initially" or "start with" alone for clearer writing.

How can I use "initially start with" in a sentence?

You can use "initially start with" when you want to emphasize the very beginning of a process. However, simpler alternatives are often preferable. For example: "We will initially start with the basics."

What's the difference between "initially start with" and "begin with"?

"Initially start with" is more verbose than "begin with". The latter is generally preferred for its conciseness and directness.