What Does "to begin with" Mean?
- Grammatical function: The expression serves two primary functions. First, it acts as a discourse marker to introduce the first point in a list or sequence of arguments (enumeration). Second, it functions as an adverbial phrase to describe the original state or condition of something (initial state).
- Typical sentence position: It is highly flexible and can appear in the initial, medial, or final position of a sentence.
- Register: This expression is neutral, making it equally suitable for casual conversation and high-level journalism or academic writing.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: When used to sequence arguments, it is typically followed by a full clause. When used to describe an initial state, it often follows an adjective or a verb phrase at the end of a clause.
- Punctuation rules: If used at the start of a sentence as a discourse marker, it should be followed by a comma. If used at the end of a sentence to mean "in the first place," no comma is usually required unless for specific emphasis.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence to frame an entire paragraph, or be moved to the end to emphasize that a condition existed from the very start. It is rarely negated directly; instead, the surrounding clause carries the negation.
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it as a direct substitute for "firstly" when there are no subsequent points (secondly, thirdly) can sometimes feel incomplete, though it is often used alone to highlight the most important reason.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from to begin with on Ludwig.guru.
"To begin with, phones glow." — nytimes.com
"To begin with, it's cheap." — newyorker.com
"The coalition was rocky to begin with." — economist.com
"It was unnecessary to begin with." — theguardian.com
"I loathed it to begin with." — newyorker.com
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/to+begin+with
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
Depending on the level of formality or the specific situation, you might want to vary your language.
| Phrase |
Context |
| firstly |
Standard for academic sequencing; clearly signals the start of a list. |
| in the first place |
Often used at the end of sentences to emphasize an original condition or reason. |
| initially |
More formal; focuses on the chronological beginning of a process. |
| for a start |
More informal; often used when offering the first of several reasons or complaints. |
| to start with |
A direct, slightly more informal synonym used in both speech and writing. |
| first and foremost |
Used to emphasize that the first point is the most important one. |
Common Mistakes
- Missing Punctuation: Forgetting the comma when to begin with starts a sentence, which can lead to "garden path" sentences where the reader is confused.
- Redundancy: Pairing it with other temporal markers unnecessarily, such as "At first to begin with."
- Confusion with 'at first': Learners often confuse it with at first, using to begin with to describe a chronological change in state rather than to sequence arguments or list items.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| to begin with |
Enumeration / Initial State |
Neutral |
Initial or Final |
FAQs
Can to begin with be used at both the start and end of a sentence?
Yes, the discourse marker is highly flexible and can appear in either the sentence-initial position to introduce an argument or the final position to emphasize an original state. When placed at the beginning, it usually requires a comma, whereas at the end, it typically follows the main predicate without extra punctuation.
What is the difference between to begin with and firstly?
While both function as connectives to sequence points, firstly is strictly used for enumeration and usually expects a "secondly" to follow. In contrast, to begin with is more versatile, as it can also describe an inherent condition or a state that existed from the very start of a situation.
When should I use at first instead of to begin with?
Learners often confuse it with at first, using to begin with to describe a chronological change in state rather than to sequence arguments or list items. You should use at first when you want to contrast an initial feeling or situation with a later change, such as "At first I was tired, but then I felt better."