to begin with he

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to begin with he" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and lacks proper structure. Example: "To begin with, he explained the main points of the presentation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To begin with, he simply groaned.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To begin with, he framed the story.

The Guardian - Books

To begin with he didn't call back.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

To begin with, he was apprehensive.

The Guardian

"I didn't like cilantro to begin with," he said.

The New York Times - Food

"You're already raising the bar to begin with," he said.

The New York Times

To begin with, he feels not much at all.

The Guardian - Film

"Our convention security was robust to begin with," he noted.

The New York Times

To begin with, he isn't even David Bowie.

The Guardian - Music

To begin with he seemed calmer and happier.

The Guardian

"It perplexed me to begin with," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "to begin with he" with alternatives like "Initially, he", "At first, he", or "First, he" for a more concise and grammatically sound expression.

Common error

Avoid using "to begin with he" without a complete clause. This phrase needs to introduce a full statement, not just a pronoun, to make sense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to begin with he" functions as an introductory element within a sentence. However, according to Ludwig, it's often grammatically incomplete and requires a full clause to follow for proper syntax. Examples from Ludwig illustrate varied uses across different contexts, but the core function remains to signal a starting point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to begin with he" is used to introduce an initial point or action. However, Ludwig analysis indicates that this phrase is often considered grammatically incomplete, requiring a full clause for correctness. While common in News & Media, it’s advisable to use more grammatically sound alternatives like "Initially, he" or "First, he" for clearer and more professional writing. The choice depends on the context, but prioritizing grammatical correctness enhances clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to start with, he

Very similar in meaning, it emphasizes the act of starting a sequence of actions or points.

initially, he

This alternative is more concise and direct, replacing the longer introductory phrase with a single adverb.

at first, he

This phrase is simpler and focuses on the temporal aspect of the beginning.

he started by

This version restructures the sentence to focus on the action initiated.

first, he

This option is the most straightforward, directly indicating the first action or point.

in the first place, he

This option emphasizes the priority or importance of the initial point or action.

in the beginning, he

This phrase is more descriptive and emphasizes the state or condition at the start.

as a beginning, he

This alternative is less common and more formal, highlighting the initial stage.

by way of introduction, he

This phrase is quite formal and explicitly announces an introduction.

to commence with, he

This alternative employs a more formal and somewhat archaic verb.

FAQs

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

Ensure that "to begin with" is followed by a complete clause. For example, "To begin with, he outlined the main points."

Is "to begin with he" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "to begin with he" is often grammatically incomplete. It's better to use "To begin with, he..." followed by a complete sentence.

What are some alternatives to "to begin with he"?

Alternatives include "Initially, he", "At first, he", or simply "First, he". These are more concise and grammatically correct. Consider alternatives like "initially, he", "at first, he", or "first, he".

When should I use "to begin with"?

"To begin with" is best used to introduce the first point in a series or to start a narrative. Always ensure it's followed by a complete clause for clarity and grammatical correctness.