to begin with

Examples

• All

• To begin with, it's not a game you just pick up and play.

  Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie (2014)

• It looks a little odd to begin with, but it will get better.

• Today I wanted to begin with that question I left you with.

• And I wanted to begin with the current day.

• OK, we're going to begin with you and just say what you want.

• I never knew what it was to begin with.

  Flubber (1997)

• So we are going to begin with a video and let's take a look.

• Every change project in yourself has to begin with a moment of sincere commitment.

• We don't have that much time to begin with.

  Theater Camp (2023)

• To begin with, we need to gather all the necessary information before making a decision.

Synonyms

F

first

vsto begin with

∞ 1.0

Before anything else or at the beginning

is used more as a phrase to open a point in speech

A

at first

vsto begin with

984 1.0

In the beginning before things change

serves more as a conversational signal to introduce an initial idea

I

in the first place

vsto begin with

551 3.4

To give the main or first reason

is more of a general opening phrase indicating initial time rather than reason

O

originally

vsto begin with

543 2.0

At first, before later changes

functions more as a speaking cue to begin an explanation

I

initially

vsto begin with

395 3.2

At first, before things change

is used more as a discourse opener rather than a neutral time word

I

in the beginning

vsto begin with

246 1.4

At the start of something

is used more to signal an opening remark than to name the phase

F

first off

vsto begin with

• Informal

77 2.8

To say something before you do anything else

is broader, usable to start discussion rather than only list items

F

from the get-go

vsto begin with

• Informal

52 6.6

Right from the very start

is a milder spoken phrase used to begin a statement or list

F

from the word go

vsto begin with

• Informal

3 5.3

From the very beginning of something

is a less idiomatic phrase used to open a point in speech

Antonyms

E

end

∞ 1.0

The final part of something, like an event or story

C

to come to a close

22 3.5

To end, often after a meeting or event

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology