start by being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start by being" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when giving advice or instructions on how to begin a process or action, often related to personal development or behavior. Example: "To improve your public speaking skills, start by being confident in your message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Let's start by being honest with ourselves.

The Guardian

They should start by being much more careful about data.

The Economist

We can start by being a bit tougher.

The Guardian - Opinion

But we'll start by being the best team in the city".

The New York Times - Sports

Fitzpatrick's week got off to a perfect start by being invited to play a practice round with Rory McIlroy.

Independent

First steps Start by being more open; talk to one stranger each day – in a shop, at work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But if we're to have any hope of getting to a destination, it helps to start by being very clear about where you're leaving from.

The New York Times

And, we have to start by being honest with each other and ourselves, admit when we are struggling and then seek help.

The Guardian

"It's useful to get them to start by being completely honest so you can begin to unravel and challenge it," she says.

The Guardian

"If HSBC wants to impose restrictions upon the withdrawal of customer money, then it should start by being more transparent, revealing where customers' deposits are actually invested," he added.

Independent

But Peszko has offered up his disappointment before the finals even start, by being thrown out of the squad by Smuda after a night out on the town and a row with a taxi driver.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice, use "start by being" to clearly indicate the first step in a process or change.

Common error

Avoid beginning every step with "start by being" when providing a series of instructions; vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start by being" functions as an imperative phrase, typically used to give advice or instructions. As supported by Ludwig, it directly indicates the initial action or state necessary to achieve a broader goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start by being" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to provide guidance or instructions, particularly for initiating a change or process. It is versatile, fitting into both casual and professional contexts, as noted by Ludwig. While "start by being" is very common, it's important to consider the overall flow and variety of your writing. As Ludwig's AI confirms, the phrase enjoys broad applicability across news, media, and general informational content, making it a reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin by being

Uses "begin" instead of "start", a direct synonym with minimal change in meaning.

commence by being

Substitutes "start" with "commence", which is more formal but retains the core instruction.

initiate by being

Replaces "start" with "initiate", implying a more deliberate or formal beginning.

launch by being

Uses "launch" instead of "start", suggesting a more active or vigorous beginning.

first, be

Rearranges the phrase to emphasize the state of being as the initial action.

the first step is to be

Expands the phrase to explicitly state that being something is the initial action required.

one should begin by being

Adds a level of formality by using "one should" instead of the direct imperative.

a good starting point is to be

Introduces the concept as a suggestion or recommendation for a good beginning.

to commence with being

Expresses the same instruction, using a combination of more formal synonyms.

to get going, try being

Suggests being something as a way to initiate action.

FAQs

How can I use "start by being" in a sentence?

The phrase "start by being" is used to suggest an initial state or action. For example, "To become a better public speaker, "start by being" confident in your message."

What phrases are similar to "start by being"?

Alternatives include "begin by being", which is a direct synonym, or "first be", which emphasizes the state of being.

Is it correct to say "starting by being" instead of "start by being"?

While grammatically acceptable in certain contexts, "start by being" is a more direct and commonly used construction. "Starting by being" may sound less assertive.

What's the difference between "start by being" and "begin by being"?

The phrases "start by being" and "begin by being" are largely interchangeable. "Begin" is slightly more formal, but the meaning remains essentially the same.