let us begin with

USAGE SUMMARY

"let us begin with" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used as a way to suggest starting something or to introduce a topic or list. Example: "Let us begin with a brief overview of the company's history before delving into our plans for the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let us begin with a cardinal sin.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let us begin with some drag-speak: "fishy".

The Guardian - Opinion

Let us begin with the trigger for the frenzy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let us begin with severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS.

The New York Times

Let us begin with the opening ceremony, which in all likelihood has already started somewhere.

The New York Times - Sports

Let us begin with a close reading of a Trump tweet.

The New Yorker

Let us begin with admissibility.

SEP

Let us begin with (1).

SEP

Let us begin with body and Extension.

SEP

Let us begin with the second.

SEP

Let us begin with the former.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let us begin with" to clearly signal the start of a new section, argument, or explanation. This helps to guide your reader through the structure of your writing.

Common error

Avoid starting too many consecutive sentences with "let us begin with" or similar phrases. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let us begin with" functions as an introductory phrase. It signals the start of a discussion, explanation, or series of points. Ludwig shows this phrase is used to clearly mark the beginning of a new topic or argument.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "let us begin with" is a grammatically correct and frequently used introductory phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and its function of signaling the start of a new topic or argument. It's versatile enough for news, media, and formal writing. Consider alternatives like "let's start with" for a more casual tone, but avoid overuse to maintain reader engagement. This phrase serves as a valuable tool for structuring your writing and guiding your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let's start with

Changes the tone to be more informal and conversational by contracting "let us" to "let's".

let's commence with

Replaces "begin" with "commence", making the phrase slightly more formal.

we shall start by

Substitutes "let us" with "we shall", altering the tone to be more formal and suggestive.

we will initiate with

Replaces "begin" with "initiate", making the phrase slightly more formal and deliberate.

to begin with

Omits "let us", creating a more direct and concise introductory phrase.

firstly

Offers a brief and direct method of starting a list of items.

in the first place

Suggests an order of discussion or importance, and a certain level of emphasis.

as a starting point

Shifts the focus to the idea of having a point from which to move forward.

initially

A simple, one-word replacement indicating something happens at the start.

to set the stage

A more figurative way to introduce a topic, implying preparation for what follows.

FAQs

How can I use "let us begin with" in a sentence?

"Let us begin with" is typically used to introduce the first point in a discussion or list. For example, "Let us begin with the definition of the term." It can also be used to transition into a new topic or section within a piece of writing.

What are some alternatives to "let us begin with"?

Alternatives include "let's start with", "to begin with", or simply stating the first point directly without an introductory phrase.

Is it more formal to say "let us begin with" or "let's start with"?

"Let us begin with" is generally considered more formal than "let's start with" because it uses the full form of "let us" instead of the contraction "let's".

When is it appropriate to use "let us begin with" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "let us begin with" in formal writing, presentations, or speeches where you want to clearly indicate the starting point of your discussion. It's also useful when you want to emphasize the structure of your argument or explanation.