starts with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'starts with' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to refer to the first action in a sequence. For example, "The test starts with an essay question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It starts with me".

The New York Times

Success starts with preparation.

The New Yorker

That starts with security.

The Economist

It starts with strength.

The New York Times

Everything starts with them.

The New York Times - Sports

Winning starts with them.

The New York Times - Sports

It starts with us.

The New York Times

It starts with isolation.

The New Yorker

It starts with competence.

The New York Times

That starts with Rex".

The New York Times - Sports

That starts with education.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, use it to clearly define the initial element of a string, sequence or chronological process.

Common error

Do not use "starts from" when referring to an inclusive list of components; "starts with" indicates the first item included in the group, whereas "starts from" is better suited for physical origins or abstract points of departure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starts with" acts as a transitive phrasal verb construction that links a subject to its initial component, cause or prerequisite. According to Ludwig AI, it serves as a structural marker that identifies the foundation of an idea or the first step in a sequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "starts with" is a versatile and essential tool in the English language for identifying origins and initial steps. Data from Ludwig shows that it is exceptionally common in high-quality journalism, particularly when authors wish to assign accountability or define a primary cause (e.g., "It "starts with" me"). While it is interchangeable with "<a href="/s/begins+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">begins with", its usage in Ludwig AI examples highlights a preference for the phrase in contexts involving leadership, systemic change and logical sequences. It is grammatically robust and suitable for all levels of writing formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begins with

Interchangeable synonym, often used for stylistic variety in sequences

commences with

Increases formality, suitable for legal or academic proceedings

is initiated with

Focuses on the action that triggers the start of a process

opens with

Commonly used in performance, literature or artistic contexts

launches with

Suggests a formal debut or the start of a specific campaign or product

kicks off with

Informal or journalistic tone, often used for events or sports

originates with

Emphasizes the source or person responsible for the starting point

sets out with

Implies an intentional beginning with a specific goal or equipment

first involves

Shifts focus to the content of the first step rather than the sequence itself

initially features

Highlights the first characteristic present at the beginning

FAQs

What can I say instead of "starts with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/begins+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">begins with", "<a href="/s/commences+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">commences with" or "<a href="/s/opens+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">opens with".

Is "starts with" more formal than "begins with"?

Actually, "<a href="/s/begins+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">begins with" is often considered slightly more formal or literary, while "starts with" is more common in direct, modern prose and everyday speech.

When should I use "starts with" in a sentence?

Use it when you want to establish a prerequisite or the first item in a series, such as "Success "starts with" preparation" or "The list "starts with" the most expensive items".

What is the difference between "starts with" and "starts by"?

"starts with" is followed by a noun (the thing), whereas "<a href="/s/starts+by" target="_blank" rel="alternative">starts by" is followed by a gerund (the action), for example: "It "starts with" a plan" vs "It starts by planning".