start by

**Will17** · 29-Jul-2011, 15:41

Hello,

Can we ever use "by" after "to start", please?

E.g : He started by making bad comments.

Thank you

Will

**5jj** · 29-Jul-2011, 15:44

Yes.

'He started making comments' could be said if making comments was not the first thing he said/did.

If he started by making comments, then making comments was the first thing he said/did.

**Will17** · 29-Jul-2011, 15:55

Thank you 5.

Could we also say: he started with making comments. ?

THank you

Will

**5jj** · 29-Jul-2011, 16:03

My feeling is 'no'.

COCA has 62 examples of 'by' followed by verb+ing and none of 'with'.

**Will17** · 29-Jul-2011, 16:06

Would you agree with this rule?:

-to start with +noun

-to start by+verbing

CHeers 5

Will

**5jj** · 29-Jul-2011, 16:09

You won't go far wrong if you follow that.

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