I would like to begin by

The grammar here is your best friend. The most important thing to remember is the word by. Because by is a preposition, it acts like a magnet for -ing verbs. You will almost always follow this phrase with a gerund. For example, you say, I would like to begin by thanking you all for coming. You do not say 'begin by thank.' That would be like wearing socks with sandals—technically possible, but it makes everyone a little uncomfortable. You can also use it to introduce a specific action or a slide. I would like to begin by showing you this chart. It is a simple 'Subject + Would Like + To Begin + By + Verb-ing' formula that works every time. If you want to sound a bit faster, you can contract it to I'd like to begin by, which keeps the professional vibe but adds a tiny bit of modern speed.

This phrase lives in the 'Formal' to 'Very Formal' neighborhood. You probably wouldn't use this while ordering a pizza or telling your roommate that the sink is leaking. If you said to your best friend, 'I would like to begin by mentioning that you owe me five dollars,' they would probably think you’ve been watching too many corporate training videos. However, in any professional setting—be it a job interview, a university presentation, or a wedding toast—it is absolute gold. It shows you have a high level of English (B2 or higher) because it uses the 'would like to' construction instead of the more basic 'want to.' It creates a professional distance that is respectful rather than cold.

You will hear this a lot on TED Talks or during Apple product launches. When a speaker walks onto the stage, they often say, I'd like to begin by sharing a story with you. It creates an immediate connection. In the world of social media, you might see a LinkedIn 'thought leader' start a long post with, I would like to begin by acknowledging the hard work of my team. Even in a YouTube tutorial, a creator might say, I would like to begin by explaining what tools you'll need for this DIY project. It’s everywhere because it works. It’s the perfect 'low-risk, high-reward' phrase. You can't really go wrong with it as long as the setting isn't too casual.

Use this phrase whenever you have a list of things to talk about and you want to be clear about the first one. It is perfect for the start of a pitch to a client where you want to show you are organized. It is great for a meeting when you are the one presenting a report. Use it when you want to set a serious, respectful tone. If you are participating in a debate or a formal discussion, this phrase helps you claim the 'floor' (the right to speak) gracefully. It’s also very useful in academic writing, specifically in the introduction of a long essay or a thesis defense, where structure is everything. Basically, if there is a podium involved—real or metaphorical—this phrase belongs there.

Avoid this phrase in high-intensity, casual situations. If your house is on fire, don't say, 'I would like to begin by stating that the kitchen is quite hot.' Just scream 'Fire!' Similarly, in a casual text message to a friend, this phrase is way too heavy. If you’re texting a group chat about where to get brunch, 'I'd like to begin by suggesting the pancake house' makes you sound like a robot trying to pass as a human. Also, don't use it if you only have one thing to say. If you say, 'I'd like to begin by saying I'm leaving,' and then you just leave, people will be waiting for the 'middle' and the 'end' that never come. It’s a 'sequence' phrase, so use it when there is actually a sequence to follow.

The most frequent trip-up is the verb form after by. ✗ I would like to begin by to say... → ✓ I would like to begin by saying... Remember, the 'to' is already attached to 'begin.' Don't double up! Another mistake is forgetting the by entirely. ✗ I would like to begin thank you. → ✓ I would like to begin by thanking you. Without the 'by,' the sentence feels like it's missing a limb. Some people also try to use 'start' and 'begin' together, which is redundant. ✗ I'd like to start to begin by... Just pick one and stick with it! Lastly, watch out for the 'want' vs 'would like' swap. 'I want to begin by...' is okay, but it lacks the 'polite polish' that makes the original phrase so effective in a professional environment.

If you want to mix things up, you have options. I'd like to start by... is the slightly more modern, slightly less formal cousin. It’s great for a startup environment or a creative agency. Let me start by... is a bit more direct and 'take-charge.' It sounds like you are literally asking for permission but you've already started. For a very formal vibe, you might say, Allow me to open with... or If I may, I will begin by... In British English, you might hear I shall begin by... which sounds very traditional and slightly posh. On social media or in blogs, you might see First off, I want to... which is the 'streetwear' version of our phrase—cool, casual, but still organized.

Can I use 'start' instead of 'begin'? Yes! I would like to start by is almost identical, just a tiny bit less formal. Is it okay to say 'I'd like to'? Absolutely. Using the contraction I'd makes you sound like a more natural, fluent speaker. Do I always need a verb after 'by'? Usually, yes. You are describing an action that starts your talk. However, you could say I'd like to begin by way of introduction, but that's a very advanced, old-school structure that might make you sound like a 19th-century professor. Stick to the -ing verbs for maximum success!