shall we begin

USAGE SUMMARY

"shall we begin" is a correct and usable phrase in written English that is used to make an invitation or suggestion to start something.
For example: "Shall we begin the meeting now?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Where shall we begin?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Well, where shall we begin?

The Guardian - Business

"Shall we begin?" she asks.

The New Yorker

Shall we begin with fire or water?

The New York Times

"Shall we begin?" I said, motioning her to the couch.

The New Yorker

Shall we begin with a little amuse-gueule?

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Let's start again shall we?" Things began amicably enough.

The Guardian - Books

"From Allah we come and to Him shall we return". Thus begin hundreds of comments on leading Arabic language news sites today, in response to the death of Ali al-Fakhiri – better known to the world as Ibn al-Sheikh al-Libi.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tonight, we shall begin to reflect on all the fun we've had with "It's Been Interesting," a photography show in Los Angeles featuring images of some of our greatest adventures by some of our favorite people, including Jason Henry, Maggie Lee, Andrea Sonnenberg, and Sandy Kim.

Vice

However, if we increase δ further beyond half the carrier spacing (|δ| > 0.5), we shall begin to see the advantage of using higher orders.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Then we shall begin.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shall we begin" to initiate meetings, discussions, or any activity where you want to suggest a formal or polite start. For instance, "Shall we begin the presentation?"

Common error

Avoid using "shall we begin" in very casual situations; opt for more informal alternatives like "let's start" or "should we start?" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shall we begin" is to serve as an interrogative phrase used to propose or suggest the commencement of an activity or discussion. Ludwig provides many examples where this phrase effectively initiates proceedings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shall we begin" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to propose the commencement of an activity or discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in professional or academic settings. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, academia, and formal business communications. While appropriate in numerous scenarios, it's essential to consider the formality of the situation and adjust your language accordingly, potentially opting for more informal alternatives in casual settings. The available examples from Ludwig further highlight its practical application and diverse usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shall we get started

Adds a sense of action and progress.

should we start

Offers a slightly less formal suggestion to begin.

let's commence

Uses a more formal verb to suggest starting.

how about we begin

Poses the start as a question of preference or suggestion.

are we ready to start

Checks for readiness before beginning.

ready to begin

Simple check if everyone is prepared to commence.

can we begin

Asks for permission or confirmation to start.

time to begin

Indicates that the appropriate moment to start has arrived.

let's kick things off

Uses an informal idiom to suggest starting energetically.

where do we begin

Suggests starting, while also acknowledging the complexity or scope of what is about to begin.

FAQs

How can I use "shall we begin" in a sentence?

Use "shall we begin" to propose the start of an activity, for example, "Shall we begin the discussion?" or "Shall we begin reading the document now?"

What are some alternatives to "shall we begin"?

You can use phrases such as "should we start", "let's commence", or "shall we get started" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "shall we begin" formal or informal?

"Shall we begin" is generally considered a somewhat formal way to suggest starting something. It's suitable for professional settings or when you want to maintain a polite tone.

When is it appropriate to use "shall we begin"?

It is appropriate to use "shall we begin" in meetings, presentations, formal discussions, or when initiating a task with colleagues or superiors. It conveys respect and politeness.