was to begin with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was to begin with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the initial state or condition of something before changes occurred. Example: "The project was to begin with a thorough research phase before moving on to implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Testing was to begin with the first pitches of April.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Temirkanov was, to begin with, an unexpected choice.

The New York Times - Arts

There was, to begin with, his wife, Vivienne.

The Guardian - Books

The more difficult the choice was to begin with, the higher the chance of reversal.

The New Yorker

The idea was to begin with the Greeks and stop somewhere around Nietzsche.

The New York Times - Books

But I'm left wondering how much faith there was to begin with.

The New York Times

On the other hand, it's not clear how meaningful the precedent was to begin with.

The New York Times

It was, to begin with, investigative journalism, which is not practiced at most newspapers in Bosnia.

The New York Times

It is a specialty of hers, often backed up by a force field that makes it come true regardless of whether it was to begin with.

The New York Times

The offensive was to begin with a night attack, and adequate moonlight was needed for the process of clearing gaps in the German minefields.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Past… Milan has rebuilt itself after extensive war damage to such an extent that it is now larger than it was to begin with.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was to begin with" to introduce an initial state or condition before further developments or changes are described. It helps establish a clear starting point for your narrative or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "was to begin with" when you intend to describe a continuous or unchanging state. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where a clear initial phase leads to subsequent changes or actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to begin with" functions as an introductory element or adverbial phrase. It sets the scene or provides context by indicating the initial state, plan, or reason before further details are given. Ludwig shows various examples that confirm this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was to begin with" is a versatile and commonly used introductory phrase that helps establish the initial state or plan of something. It functions as an adverbial phrase, setting the context for further information. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse writing styles, especially in news and media. Although applicable in multiple contexts, the phrase is used to indicate a starting point before subsequent actions or developments occur. With a neutral register and various alternative options available, using "was to begin with" effectively contributes to clarity and structure in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to start with

This alternative is very similar in meaning and structure, but uses 'start' instead of 'begin'.

at the outset

This alternative is a more formal way of saying 'at the beginning', often used in business or academic contexts.

initially

This alternative is a shorter, single-word adverb expressing the same concept of 'at the beginning'.

to commence with

This alternative provides a formal and more sophisticated version using commence instead of begin.

at first

This alternative is a simple and direct way to indicate the beginning state or initial condition.

originally

This alternative highlights the initial intention or design of something.

in the beginning

This alternative is a more general way to refer to the start of something, often used for stories or processes.

as a starting point

This alternative emphasizes the idea of something being a base or foundation for further development.

primarily

This alternative shifts the focus slightly to indicate the main or most important reason at the start.

firstly

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

FAQs

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

The phrase "was to begin with" is used to describe the initial state or intention of something. For example, "The project "was to begin with" a research phase."

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

You can use alternatives such as "initially", "at first", or "to start with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "were to begin with" instead of "was to begin with"?

Use "were to begin with" for plural subjects and "was to begin with" for singular subjects. For example, "The plans were to begin with a small pilot project."

What's the difference between "was to begin with" and "began with"?

"Was to begin with" describes an intended or planned start, whereas "began with" describes an action that actually occurred. For example, "The presentation "was to begin with" an introduction, but it "began with" a question from the audience."