must begin with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must begin with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify a requirement or condition that something needs to start with a particular element or phrase. Example: "All submissions must begin with a title page that includes the author's name and the date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I must begin with gratitude.

The New York Times

And that counteroffensive must begin with language.

The New York Times

Successful negotiation must begin with a realistic proposal.

The New York Times

That process must begin with the process of government itself.

The Guardian

It must begin with the orderly departure of Greece from the euro zone".

The New York Times

Any comment on the disaster in Japan must begin with the stunning scale of human loss.

The New York Times

The road to a degree for many must begin with language immersion.

The New York Times

If Haiti is to change, he thundered, it must begin with Cit?oleil.

The New York Times

And the conveyance, apparently, must begin with the letter S: ski, skate, sled, stone.

The New Yorker

We must begin with a full and robust debate on the ramifications of these policies.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Any search for a hero must begin with what a hero requires -- a villain".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, consider rephrasing to specify consequences if the action doesn't begin with the stated element, adding weight to the requirement.

Common error

Avoid using "must begin with" when a softer recommendation is more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly prescriptive or rigid. Instead of "The project must begin with a kickoff meeting", consider "The project should begin with a kickoff meeting" or "It's advisable to start the project with a kickoff meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must begin with" functions as a modal verb phrase that introduces a mandatory starting point or a necessary condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. For example, "Successful negotiation must begin with a realistic proposal."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must begin with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to highlight a required starting point or initial step. As shown by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, with the most common being News & Media. The phrase is suitable for a range of writing styles, although it trends toward neutral and formal tones. When incorporating "must begin with", it's important to ensure that the specified element is indeed a critical and necessary first step, and not merely a suggestion. Alternatives such as "has to start with" or "should commence with" can be employed to modulate the level of emphasis. Overusing this phrase might make the writing sound overly prescriptive, so consider using softer recommendations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to start with

Changes the verb from "must begin" to "has to start", slightly altering the tone but maintaining the core meaning.

should commence with

Replaces "must begin" with the more formal "should commence", introducing a subtle shift in formality.

needs to initiate with

Substitutes "must begin" with "needs to initiate", emphasizing the necessity of starting something.

ought to start with

Replaces "must begin" with "ought to start", conveying a sense of obligation or advisability.

is required to start with

Emphasizes the mandatory nature of the starting point, replacing "must begin" with a more explicit requirement.

is essential to begin with

Highlights the essential nature of the initial step, changing "must begin" to a statement of importance.

fundamentally starts with

Emphasizes that something's base is starting with a specific element.

necessarily starts with

Highlights that it's necessary to start with a specific element.

inevitably commences with

Indicates that, without doubt, the start will occur with a specific element.

unavoidably initiates with

Highlights that there is no way around starting with a specific element.

FAQs

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

The phrase "must begin with" is used to indicate a required starting point or initial step. For example, "Any successful strategy "must begin with" a clear understanding of the problem."

What are some alternatives to saying "must begin with"?

You can use alternatives such as "has to start with", "should commence with", or "needs to initiate with" to convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "must begin with" too strong for suggesting a starting point?

While "must begin with" indicates a requirement, consider alternatives like "should start with" or "could begin with" if you want to suggest a starting point without imposing a strict condition.

What's the difference between "must begin with" and "should begin with"?

"Must begin with" indicates a non-negotiable requirement, whereas "should begin with" suggests a recommended but not mandatory action. Use "must" when the starting point is critical for success and "should" when it's a matter of best practice.