For a start vs As a start

'For a start' and 'as a start' are equally acceptable and interchangeable phrases—they both refer to something that is beginning. They are commonly used in English and have the same meaning.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: April 01, 2025 • 5252 views

The phrase 'for a start' is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the beginning of something.

"For a start"

This phrase is used to introduce the first point or action in a series of points or actions. It is often used to suggest that there will be more points or actions following the initial one.

Examples:

For a start, we need to gather all the necessary materials.
For a start, let's focus on improving our communication skills.
For a start, I suggest we address the most urgent issues first.

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For a start, you've no experience.
For a start, talking to a cat.
For a start, he was a drunk.
For a start, we have two European Parliament buildings.
For a start, I'm already married.
For a start, there are 21 children in Oakington right now.
For a start, we have not yet reached the objective.
For a start, we should be cutting unnecessary waste and expenditure.
For a start, it would be nice always to know what Member States are doing.
For a start, I only own two.
For a start, the end of the Cold War has made for fundamental changes in the international order.
For a start, one of the three parties to these contracts will be the Member State.
For a start, then, we should not take an arrogant approach to these matters; secondly, we need to apply a certain healthy realism.
For a start, here's some homework for you.
For a start, the attack has to be made in this square.
For a start, we have to create a legal basis; one is in place today.
For a start, maybe we can find Louis Lester and get some of that money.
For a start, we can think about all the times when we do lose ourselves.
For a start you could download vocabulary files directly from the Internet using File Download New Vocabularies...
For a start, the European budget has no deficit: it is always balanced.

Alternatives:

To begin with
First of all
Initially
As a first step
As an initial point

The phrase 'as a start' is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the beginning of something.

"As a start"

This phrase is used to introduce the first point or action in a series of points or actions. It is often used to suggest that there will be more points or actions following the initial one.

Examples:

As a start, let's outline the main objectives of the project.
As a start, we can schedule a meeting to discuss the next steps.
As a start, I recommend reviewing the current processes.

Show examples from the web [+]

As a start we must include all the financial institutions working with leverage in the particular risk assessment.
As a start, Ukraine has to deliver on democratic values.
As a start, the EU, its Member States and the U.S. should ratify and implement all ILO Conventions and WTO rulings.
As a start, the Commission could be asked to produce a Green Paper, or the EP could draw up an own-initiative report.
But we regard the Molitor report only as a start.
With that as a start, the army of the Republic will march down south.
Rosuvastatin (Crestor) 10 mg is currently authorised in the majority of MS as a start and maintenance dose with acceptable risk/ benefit ratio.
I think that is needed as a start to the healing process.
In this perspective, the Commission and the ECB welcome as a start the dialogue between the EPC and end-users as well as their commitment to involve all stakeholders more openly in the future.
This is all the more surprising as a start still has to be made on a real rationalization of public finances in the major EMU Member States, as can be seen from the introductory sentence of paragraph 14.
Perhaps we should schedule this as a start in order to be able eventually to say to those responsible in the regions: we can achieve improvements for women here.
Even though the Commissioner says that a lot is already happening at European level, I view this report rather as a start and a stimulus for building on the little that is already happening.
The requirements for these materials are as a start the same as for all materials: they should not endanger human health.
The EDPS feels that the field of electronic prescriptions could serve as a start for the integration of privacy and security requirements at the very initial stage of development (see Section III below).
In an attempt to defeat Islamic terrorism in Member States will the Commission as a start,
That is precisely the reason why, together with the action plan, we have offered Ukraine a policy in which the action plan only acts as a start, with the policy being made up of various successive steps bringing us ever closer together.
This demands political will and action for the common good so I hope the Commission will today indicate that it sees this as a start, not a conclusion, and that it will also urge action from Member States.
Take our last contact with the target as a start.
Then I'll have them as a start...
Kaiser, as a start, kill them all.

Alternatives:

For a start
To begin with
First of all
Initially
As a first step

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For a start vs As a start

"For a start"

"As a start"

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