to commence with vs to start with

Both 'to commence with' and 'to start with' are correct phrases that can be used interchangeably to introduce the first point or action in a sequence. They have the same meaning and are commonly used in English.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 417 views

to commence with

The phrase 'to commence with' is correct and means to begin with or to start with. It is a formal way of introducing the first point or action in a sequence.

This phrase is used to indicate the initial step or point in a series of actions or arguments. It is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language.

Examples:

To commence with, let's review the main objectives of the project.
To commence with, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work.
To commence with, we need to address the most pressing issues.
To commence with, I will provide an overview of the current situation.
To commence with, I want to highlight the key findings of the research.

Show examples from the web [+]

The Punjabi literary tradition is generally conceived to commence with Fariduddin Ganjshakar (1173-1266)...
A little bit truly does go a lengthy way, so it's greatest to commence with just a dab and increase it as you need more.
The troops have been awakened from cold sleep and are prepared to commence with military operations.
If not paid in full, it is our intention to commence with foreclosure.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to commence with the Studia et Documenta collection while making a saving of almost 45% on the total price.
We welcome the fact that enlargement negotiations are to commence with Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Malta.
When at Holding, we are ready to commence with the aiming and expansion.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to commence with the [...] Study Conference."Vir fidelis multum laudabitur".
The meeting is due to commence with a preliminary meeting of the G8 countries' agriculture ministers on Saturday 18 April 2009.
We do course wish to commence with the major changes we are involved in, and we are still able to complete them in time for your benefit.
15. The information shall be transmitted at least four calendar months before formal negotiations are scheduled to commence with the third countries or international organizations concerned.
The meeting was to commence with three consecutive sermons, the last of which was to be preached by Mr. Evans.
At 10:19 a.m., they received orders to commence with their attack.
First of all, I should like to say that it is extremely important that at the last Council held on 18 April a consensus was achieved, and that the Commission has been granted a mandate to commence with negotiations.
Does the Commission intend to commence with the acceptance testing of equipment as soon as the initial performance criteria for equipment become available?
We have to commence with the buying of the stuff!
To get a passport can take up to twenty-days, therefore we decide to commence with the formalities here pick them up in Pretoria where we should be in August.
In 1897, approval arrived from the Austrian Ministry of Railways for Mr. Rudolf Urbanitzky, a local engineer, to commence with works on the construction of tram tracks.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to commence with the [...]

Alternatives:

to start with
to begin with
firstly
initially
at the outset

to start with

The phrase 'to start with' is correct and means to begin with or to commence with. It is a common way of introducing the first point or action in a sequence.

This phrase is used to indicate the initial step or point in a series of actions or arguments. It is more informal and commonly used in everyday language.

Examples:

To start with, let's go over the basic rules.
To start with, I need to gather all the necessary materials.
To start with, we should consider the implications of our decision.
To start with, I want to clarify the main objectives of the project.
To start with, I appreciate your input on this matter.

Show examples from the web [+]

How much you want? $50,000 to start with.
And the procedure that we have is simply to start with paper.
This only strengthened our decision... to start with a more emotionally cognitive specimen.
It's best to start with a clean slate.
Serials love to start with animals, move on to human victims.
You might want to start with the coat check girl.
Yura and I decided to start with the Germans.
Jennifer, I'm going to start with a quick exam.
We're going to start with persuasion techniques.
I like to start with a pie.
Feel free to start with me.
You might want to start with the hospitals.
We were supposed to start with Lester and Miri. I know.
I want to start with an apology.
That has to start with you, dad.
We'd like to start with his work assignments.
We like to start with the obituary.
They didn't realize that they had to start with the gun.
Fortunately they give me something to start with.

Alternatives:

to commence with
to begin with
firstly
initially
at the outset

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Amazing! I like that the editors are REAL people and not A.I., like some use. The editors actually see clients as real people and not just apart of their job, and it shows. 💖"
moggie April 2025
"TextRanch has been a great help to me, especially at work because I often email my boss."
Jhey April 2025
"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023