first

(linking-words)

Found 14 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.

to begin

Starting steps (simple)

Nuance: Beginning

A little more formal than to start.

Boring

First, we chose a topic for our presentation.

Better

To begin, we chose a topic for our presentation.

to begin with

Starting steps (clear)

Nuance: Beginning

Very common and clear.

Boring

First, we chose a topic for our presentation.

Better

To begin with, we chose a topic for our presentation.

to start

Starting steps (simple)

Nuance: Beginning

Great for instructions.

Boring

First, we chose a topic for our presentation.

Better

To start, we chose a topic for our presentation.

to start with

Starting steps (simple)

Nuance: Beginning

Very common in speech and writing.

Boring

First, we chose a topic for our presentation.

Better

To start with, we chose a topic for our presentation.

before anything else

Priority first

Nuance: Priority

Good when safety or priority matters.

Boring

First, we washed our hands and set up our materials.

Better

Before anything else, we washed our hands and set up our materials.

for starters

Beginning (casual idiom)

Nuance: Casual

Casual; good for speech or narrative voice.

Boring

First, we chose a topic for our presentation.

Better

For starters, we chose a topic for our presentation.

initially

Beginning (more formal)

Nuance: Early stage

More formal than at first.

Boring

First, the math problem looked impossible.

Better

Initially, the math problem looked impossible.

to kick things off

Beginning (lively tone)

Nuance: Energetic

Lively; good for presentations.

Boring

First, we chose a topic for our presentation.

Better

To kick things off, we chose a topic for our presentation.

as a preliminary step

Beginning (procedure)

Nuance: Preparation

Strong for science procedures.

Boring

First, we washed our hands and set up our materials.

Better

As a preliminary step, we washed our hands and set up our materials.

as an opening point

Beginning (academic)

Nuance: Structured

Academic tone; sounds like an essay.

Boring

First, we chose a topic for our presentation.

Better

As an opening point, we chose a topic for our presentation.

at the outset

Beginning (formal)

Nuance: Official start

Formal; good in reports.

Boring

First, we chose a topic for our presentation.

Better

At the outset, we chose a topic for our presentation.

to commence

Beginning (very formal)

Nuance: Formal start

Very formal; use sparingly.

Boring

First, we chose a topic for our presentation.

Better

To commence, we chose a topic for our presentation.

to open

Beginning (presentation style)

Nuance: Opening

Common in speeches.

Boring

First, we chose a topic for our presentation.

Better

To open, we chose a topic for our presentation.

to set the stage

Beginning (narrative / explanation)

Nuance: Background

Use to give background before the main point.

Boring

First, our class had just started a new unit on space.

Better

To set the stage, our class had just started a new unit on space.