start (with)

[Lenka]

Well, you can now start with correcting my mistakes.

And this sentence is quite true at the moment, as I'd like to hear your opinions on whether "with" should or shouldn't be used there :).

[Casiopea]

I believe the pattern is as follows:

start with + [noun]
start [verbal noun] by + [verbal noun]

EX: Clean the house! You can start with the kitchen, and when you get there, you can start [cleaning the kitchen] by washing the floor.

Hope that stirs up some ideas.

[Lenka]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

I believe the pattern is as follows:

start with + [noun]
start [verbal noun] by + [verbal noun]

EX: Clean the house! You can start with the kitchen, and when you get there, you can start [cleaning the kitchen] by washing the floor.

Hope that stirs up some ideas.

Does it mean that I should have said "You can start by correcting my mistakes." ?
Or shall I rather say "You can start to correct my mistakes."?

[Coffa]

Originally Posted by Lenka

Does it mean that I should have said "You can start by correcting my mistakes." ?
Or shall I rather say "You can start to correct my mistakes."?

The first sentence is the one you wanted originally. It implies that your 'start' is the action of correcting mistakes. The second sentence though is simply giving a permission - you CAN start correcting my mistakes if you've nothing better to do with yourself. It's up to you.

Both 'by' and 'with' are ablative prepositions, but 'by' is used before a verb phrase, whereas 'with' is used before a noun phrase, as Cas was saying.

"You can start by correcting my mistakes."
"You can start with the correction of my mistakes,"

Both of the above are grammatically correct, but the first is more natural.

[hlbert03]

Yeah, it would be better to omit the 'with'. Sounds correct as well.

[dihen]

Are these the corresponding question forms?
`
"How can I start?" for "You can start by correcting my mistakes."
"What can I start with" for "You can start with the correction of my mistakes."

[Casiopea]

Looks good.

[dihen]

Is it completely ungrammatical to use "with + [verbal noun]", or is it still acceptable in some other cases?

[Casiopea]

Well, what's the context? For example, this is grammatical,

EX: I need help with reading, math, and science.

'reading' is a verbal noun, right?

EX: Reading is fun.

What are your thoughts?

[dihen]

Can this phrase be used anywhere else?
`
"with correcting the mistakes"