to commence with

USAGE SUMMARY

"to commence with" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is often used to introduce topics, ideas, statements, or stories that are being addressed. For example, "To commence with, let me tell you a bit about my background."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

If we have no magnets to commence with.

Princeton University

Rankin's trial is scheduled to commence with jury selection on Wednesday morning.

The Guardian

The first major since the 1996 P.G.A. Championship to commence with no Tiger Woods will at least have all those elements to validate it.

The New York Times - Sports

A source familiar with the investigations said the Guardian reports were reviewed before the decision to commence with proceedings was made.

The Guardian

The 67th Venice film festival will run from 1 to 11 September and is due to commence with Darren Aronofksy's Black Swan, a tale of two rival ballet dancers starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.

The Guardian - Film

Practically the only thing we know about it for certain is that it is 400 years old, which was good enough reason for the York Early Music festival to commence with a series of concerts exploring the enigma.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

TILLING allows for genotypic screening for allelic variations prior to commencing with the more costly and labour-intensive phenotyping (Henikoff et al., 2004).

Annals of Botany

As a consequence of this observation, there was some discussion that it might be beneficial to commence assessments with RCA rather than with DO.

BMC Medical Education

The Delta Modification Production installation is set to commence January 2006 with completion expected in 2009 (conducted in conjunction with HUG Phase 3.1 installations).

Wikipedia

Eligible patients had a diagnosis of ADHD, were about to commence treatment with Equasym XL® 1 (modified-release MPH formulation with 30% MPH-IR and 70% MPH-ER; Shire Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited, Ireland) and were attending school.

European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Ultimately, a unanimous decision was reached, which directed staff to commence negotiations with another firm…We once again thank you for your interest in working with the San Fernando Valley COG.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to commence with" to signal a structured beginning, especially when outlining points in a presentation or essay. It adds a touch of formality without being overly stiff.

Common error

Avoid using "to commence with" in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to start" or "first" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to commence with" functions as an introductory prepositional phrase. It is used to signal the start of a discussion, argument, or series of points. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a standard and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to commence with" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to introduce a beginning point in a discussion or argument. It’s categorized as common in frequency, according to Ludwig, and is most often found in News & Media and Scientific writing, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal tone. It’s best used when a clear, structured introduction is needed, avoiding overuse in overly casual settings. Remember to use alternatives like "to begin with" or "firstly" in less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to begin with

Focuses on starting a sequence or discussion but with a more common and less formal tone.

as a starting point

Highlights the initiation of a process or argument.

firstly

Emphasizes the sequential order and introduces the first point.

in the first place

Highlights a primary reason or initial consideration.

to initiate

Focuses on the action of starting something.

at the outset

Emphasizes the very beginning or start of something.

by way of introduction

Formally introduces a topic or oneself.

to set in motion

Highlights the act of initiating a series of events or actions.

in the beginning

Refers to the earliest stage or phase of something.

starting off with

Focuses on the initial step or action taken.

FAQs

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

You can use "to commence with" to introduce the first point in a series, as in, "To commence with, let's review the project goals".

What are some alternatives to "to commence with"?

Alternatives include "to begin with", "firstly", or "as a starting point", depending on the context.

Is "to commence with" formal or informal?

"To commence with" is generally considered more formal than phrases like "to start with" but less formal than "at the outset".

Where is it appropriate to use "to commence with"?

It is suitable for formal writing, presentations, or discussions where a clear and structured beginning is desired. It fits well in academic, business, and news contexts.