phrase

to start with

tuh START with

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To start with (phrase) means used to introduce the first item in a series of points, criticisms or reasons. Example: “To start with, nobody told us the venue had changed.”

phrase

Used to introduce the first item in a series of points, criticisms or reasons.

"To start with, nobody told us the venue had changed."

"There are two problems. To start with, it's over budget."

At the beginning; in the initial period, before things developed differently.

"We only planned to stay a week to start with."

"The engine was making that noise to start with, before we ever drove it."

How to use to start with

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "first of all" or "at the beginning".

When to use it

Neutral to informal. As a list marker it often signals that a complaint is being built up point by point.

Memory tip

Put a comma after it when it opens a sentence, and none when it closes one.

Easily confused with

to begin with → for starters at first

Common pairings

to start with, there was only meant to be temporary to start with wasn't working to start with

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “to start with” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____, nobody told us the venue had changed.

Synonyms

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first of all for a start to begin with firstly initially at first originally

Antonyms

eventually in the end afterwards

Related words

first then before later soon finally earlier immediately

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between "to start with" and "to begin with"?

They mean the same thing and can be swapped freely. "To start with" is a shade more informal and more common in speech, while "to begin with" turns up more often in writing.

Is "to start with" formal?

It is neutral and safe in most writing, including business email. In very formal or academic prose, "firstly" or "in the first instance" would be a closer fit.

What is the meaning of to start with?

"to start with" (phrase) means used to introduce the first item in a series of points, criticisms or reasons.

What is another word for to start with?

Other words for "to start with" include first of all, for a start, to begin with, firstly, initially, at first.

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first then before later soon finally earlier immediately