To begin with means “firstly” or “to start with”, and also “at first, initially”. In the first sense, it opens a list of arguments and gives the first reason: To begin with, it's too expensive. In the second, it describes how things were at the very start, before they changed: To begin with, I hated the job.
How would you use to begin with?
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To begin with, + first point/reason; To begin with, + situation at the start, but later…; clause + to begin with (= at the start)
- I don't want to move to the city. To begin with, rents there are twice as high.
- To begin with, the new software was confusing, but after a week everyone was using it.
- The course had only five students to begin with; now there are thirty.
What changed
First versionFor the beginning, let me explain how the test is organised.
RevisionTo begin with, let me explain how the test is organised.
It's tempting to build the phrase from for and the beginning, which gives for the beginning. But English has no such phrase. To introduce a first point, use to begin with or to start with. The rest of the sentence didn't change.
In its second sense, to begin with is close to at first and hints that things changed later: To begin with, the flat seemed perfect. That's why To begin with, I liked him sounds as if you're about to explain how he let you down, even if you were just giving your first reason. If you want to avoid the ambiguity, introduce your first point with Firstly.
Your turn
I don't think we should buy this car. ___, it's far too expensive for our budget.
Show the answer
To begin with — The speaker gives the first reason against buying the car, starting a list of arguments. That list opens with To begin with. At first means “in the beginning” and describes how things used to be; it doesn't list reasons.
Write to a friend about why you don't want to go to a party or on a trip. Give two reasons, and introduce the first with To begin with.
I'd rather not go to the party on Saturday. To begin with, I have an exam on Monday, and I also promised my sister I'd help her move.
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