to begin with

USAGE SUMMARY

"to begin with" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used expression in written English.
It is used to introduce the first point or topic in a conversation or statement. For example: "To begin with, I think we should discuss the budget for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ethiopia, to begin with.

The Economist

Maybe to begin with.

Independent

To begin with?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To begin with, phones glow.

The New York Times

To begin with, it's cheap.

The New Yorker

Take film to begin with.

Independent

"I loathed it to begin with.

The New Yorker

But what creates interest to begin with?

The New Yorker

The coalition was rocky to begin with.

The Economist

To begin with, students arbitrage international prices.

The New Yorker

"It was quite patchy to begin with.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to begin with" to clearly signal the start of a series of points or arguments. It helps organize your thoughts for the reader.

Common error

Avoid starting every sentence or paragraph with transitional phrases like "to begin with". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

How to use

Learn how to use "to begin with" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to begin with" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb in the sentence. Ludwig shows that it introduces an initial point or consideration, signaling the start of a sequence or explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to begin with" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce the first point in a series of arguments or explanations. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news articles to wiki pages. While highly frequent, varying transitional phrases can enhance writing style. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is commonly used in written English. Alternatives such as ""initially"" or ""firstly"" offer similar meaning but can adjust the formality or emphasis of the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to start with

This alternative is very similar but uses "start" instead of "begin".

initially

This alternative is a single word that means "at the beginning".

at the outset

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the very start of something.

firstly

This alternative is often used to introduce the first point in a list.

in the first place

This alternative emphasizes the reason or justification being presented first.

at first

This alternative is shorter and focuses on the initial stage.

primarily

This alternative emphasizes the main or most important point at the start.

first and foremost

This alternative emphasizes the importance and priority of the initial point.

in the beginning

This alternative focuses on the temporal aspect of starting something.

as a starting point

This alternative suggests a basis for further discussion or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "to begin with" to introduce the first point in a series, for example, "To begin with, let's discuss the budget."

What are some alternatives to "to begin with"?

Some alternatives include "initially", "firstly", or "in the first place".

Is it redundant to use "to begin with" and then "secondly"?

While not strictly redundant, it can sound repetitive. Consider varying your transitional phrases. Instead of "to begin with" and then "secondly", try "first" and "secondly" or alternatives like "moreover", "furthermore", etc.

Can "to begin with" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "to begin with" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, phrases like "initially" or "at the outset" might be preferred.