start by looking at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start by looking at" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to introduce a task or process that requires careful examination or analysis. Example: When writing a research paper, start by looking at the available resources and critically evaluating their reliability and credibility.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's start by looking at the @.

The New York Times - Arts

Start by looking at your CV.

The Guardian

So let's start by looking at Hobbes' argument.

Yale University

Start by looking at how it manifests itself.

Harvard Business Review

Let's start by looking at the number for gang members.

The Washington Post

"First, start by looking at high wind," she said.

The New York Times

He could start by looking at Australia's Origin selection protocols.

The Guardian - Sport

Actually, I start by looking at the repertory.

The New York Times - Arts

We start by looking at how the term architect is interpreted in general terms.

Continuous Architecture Sustainable Architecture in an Agile and Cloud-Centric World

Start by looking at the past seven presidential elections, three won by Republicans, four by Democrats.

The New York Times

He could start by looking at the way the government treats international students.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a multi-step process, use "start by looking at" to clearly indicate the initial point of focus. This helps guide your audience through the information in a logical sequence.

Common error

While useful, avoid beginning every sentence or paragraph with "start by looking at" in formal reports or academic papers. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "begin with", "initially consider", or "the first step is to" to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate a sophisticated writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start by looking at" functions as an imperative phrase, directing the audience to initiate a process with a specific focus. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Examples show its use in guiding analysis, problem-solving, and general exploration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

26%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start by looking at" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to direct attention and initiate a process of examination or analysis. As confirmed by Ludwig, its frequent use across various sources, including News & Media, Academia, and Science, underscores its widespread applicability. While generally neutral in tone, it’s essential to vary sentence structure in formal writing to avoid overuse. Remember to be precise in directing what needs to be looked at to ensure clear communication. For stylistic variations, consider alternatives such as "begin by examining" or "initially focus on", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin by examining

Replaces "looking at" with the more formal "examining", suggesting a closer, more detailed inspection.

commence by inspecting

Uses "commence" for a more formal start and "inspecting" to imply a careful and critical assessment.

to begin, scrutinize

Combines a clear start with "scrutinize", indicating a thorough and critical examination.

initiate with a review of

Emphasizes the act of starting and uses "review" to suggest a broader, less detailed examination.

the first step is to analyze

Explicitly states the first step as analysis, providing a clear and direct instruction.

start with an overview of

Suggests beginning with a general survey or summary before delving into details.

kick off with an assessment of

A more informal alternative, using "kick off" to mean start and "assessment" for evaluation.

initially, focus on

Highlights the initial focus on a particular aspect, streamlining the directive.

first, consider

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the act of considering something as the initial step.

let's analyze

A more direct and concise way of suggesting an analysis, suitable for collaborative contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "start by looking at" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "begin by examining", "commence by inspecting", or "initiate with a review of" depending on the specific context.

What's a more casual way to say "start by looking at"?

In more informal settings, consider using phrases such as "kick off with an assessment of", or simply "first consider".

Is there a difference between "start by looking at" and "begin by looking at"?

The phrases "start by looking at" and "begin by looking at" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic variation.

How can I use "start by looking at" effectively in a report?

In a report, use "start by looking at" to introduce the initial stage of analysis or investigation. For example, "To understand the decline in sales, "start by looking at" the quarterly sales data" provides a clear starting point for the analysis.