to begin with
From the start
To begin with introduces a first point in a sequence, signaling more will follow: To begin with, we don't have the budget for it.
It can also mean from the start or originally: I never wanted to come here to begin with.
In the second sense, it often appears at the end of a sentence and carries a note of exasperation or correction.
Introducing the initial point
- initiallyAt the outset
- firstPosition number one
- to startAt the outset
- for startersIntroducing an initial point
in the first place · first of all · first off · starting out · preliminarily · primarily · foremost · leading off
From the start
- formerlyIn the past
- at firstIn the beginning
- from the startSince the very beginning
- initiallyAt the outset
earlier · previously · back then · once · at one time · from the get-go
firstly
Introducing the initial point
for starters · in the first place · first of all · first off · starting out · preliminarily · primarily · foremost · leading off · from the top
originally
From the start
- formerlyIn the past
- at firstIn the beginning
- from the startSince the very beginning
initially · earlier · previously · back then · once · at one time · from the get-go
- beginning phrasesonce upon a time, first of all, first off, for starters, initially
to begin within conclusion
Signals the ending
to conclude · in the end · at the end · finally · lastly
with, begin, beginning, begun, beginner, began, commence, begins, beginnings