Phrasal verb
begin with sth
Definition
phrasal verb. To use or do something as the first part of an activity or process.
phrasal verb. To use something as the initial element or starting point of a sequence, process, or list; a common transitive prepositional verb.
Examples
“Let's begin with the easy questions first.”
“The recipe begins with chopping the onions and garlic finely.”
“His argument begins with the premise that all economic models are inherently flawed, a point he elaborates on throughout the subsequent chapters.”
Examples
simple
“Let's begin with the easy questions first.”
contextual
“The recipe begins with chopping the onions and garlic finely.”
complex
“His argument begins with the premise that all economic models are inherently flawed, a point he elaborates on throughout the subsequent chapters.”
Usage
This phrase introduces the first item or step in a sequence.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'end with' or 'conclude with' to teach the structure of arguments, stories, or presentations.
Pitfall
The class begins the grammar review.
The class begins with the grammar review.
The preposition 'with' is required to introduce the starting activity or topic.
Phrasal verb
Particles
with
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
begin + with + object