we should start by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we should start by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing the first step or action in a process or discussion. Example: "To improve our project, we should start by gathering feedback from all team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

We should start by plucking the low-hanging fruit.

The New York Times

LIB: We should start by cutting military spending.

The New York Times

We should start by curbing some fossil fuel use, of course.

The New York Times - Science

I'm tempted to say we should start by ditching lists altogether.

The Guardian - Opinion

So perhaps we should start by respecting the subjects that students are engaged in.

The Guardian - Opinion

We should start by not treating women's music as if it's a genre in itself.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

We Democrats should start by recommitting ourselves to the party and what it stands for.

The New York Times

The racism gets all the attention, but we really should start by focusing on how dumb Leitch and her advisors evidently thinks her base is.

Vice

I think we should start off by discussing the ways in which your own stories of immigration informed your books.

The New York Times

We should start, however, by examining, in outline, some of the processes which give all groundwaters (including mine water) their characteristic chemical signatures.

Applied Water Science

Maybe we should start describing them by vintage".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we should start by" to clearly indicate the initial action in a plan or process. This sets a direct and actionable tone.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "we should start by". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we should start by" functions as an introductory phrase that proposes an initial action or step. It's used to frame the beginning of a process or plan. Ludwig confirms this use across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we should start by" is a commonly used phrase that effectively introduces an initial action or step in a process. Ludwig AI affirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to provide clear and actionable recommendations. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, with a neutral register. To maintain writing quality, it's important to vary sentence structure and avoid overuse. Alternative phrases include "to begin with" and "the first step is to". The phrase is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to begin with

Offers a simple and direct way to indicate the start.

we can begin by

Offers a more open and less prescriptive start.

the first step is to

Highlights the sequential nature of the action.

a good starting point is

Emphasizes identifying a suitable initial action.

our initial action should be

Specifically defines a first action.

a logical first move is

Highlights the rational order of actions.

initially, we ought to

Adds a layer of obligation or recommendation.

it's advisable to start with

Emphasizes the prudence of a particular starting point.

let's commence by

Suggests a more formal initiation.

to get things underway, we should

Suggests initiating progress with a particular action.

FAQs

How can I use "we should start by" in a sentence?

The phrase "we should start by" is used to introduce the first step or action in a process. For example, "we should start by gathering feedback from all team members."

What can I say instead of "we should start by"?

You can use alternatives such as "to begin with", "the first step is to", or "a good starting point is depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "we should start by" in formal writing?

The phrase "we should start by" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. In highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "initially, we ought to" for a more sophisticated tone.

How does "we should start by" differ from "we could start by"?

"We should start by" implies a stronger recommendation or necessity, while "we could start by" suggests a possibility or option. The former is more directive, while the latter is more suggestive.