Start Out vs Start Off

[alnxp]

I'm having a hard time trying to understand the differences between Start Out and Start Off. I have already looked in some dictionaries but I can't see clear differences. Could you help me?

 

[emsr2d2]

alxnp, why don't you write a few sentences using the two and we'll see if there are any contexts in which we might choose one over the other.

 

[alnxp]

alxnp, why don't you write a few sentences using the two and we'll see if there are any contexts in which we might choose one over the other.

Thank you very much, that's a good idea.

I started off my day calling my friend.
He starts out practicing Karate.
When did you start learning English out?
I had to start it out all over again.

 

[Skrej]

Thank you very much, that's a good idea.

I started off my day calling my friend.
He starts out practicing Karate.
When did you start out learning English [STRIKE]out[/STRIKE]? Intransitive, so no object and thus non-separable
I had to start [STRIKE]it[/STRIKE] out all over again. Intransitive, so no object and thus non-separable

In all your examples, they're interchangeable (with noted changes).

Note that for this meaning they're intransitive, however.