Cool MateInitially vs Just to start
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Initially
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Just to start
Top 2,000 (common)
| Initially | Just to start | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈnɪʃəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈnɪʃəli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //dʒʌst tə stɑːt//🇺🇸 //dʒʌst tə stɑrt// |
| Meaning | At first; in the beginning. | This means to begin something. |
| Example | Initially, the system worked well. | Just to start, let me thank everyone for coming today. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | initially thought, initially planned, initially focused | just to start the meeting, just to start a conversation, just to start the process, just to start the project |
| Antonyms | finally, ultimately, later | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'initial' as an adverb instead of 'initially'., Confusing 'initially' with 'ultimately' (which has the opposite meaning)., Placing 'initially' in the wrong position in a sentence. | Using 'just to start' in overly formal contexts., Incorrectly placing it at the end of a sentence. |
| Usage notes | Use 'initially' to describe something that happens at the start. It’s suitable for both written and spoken English but is more common in formal contexts. | Used to indicate the beginning of an action or process. Generally appropriate in both spoken and written English. |
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Frequently asked questions: Initially vs Just to start
What's the difference between Initially and Just to start?
Initially: At first; in the beginning. Just to start: This means to begin something.
Can you show an example of each?
Initially: Initially, the system worked well. Just to start: Just to start, let me thank everyone for coming today.
Can I use Initially and Just to start interchangeably?
Not always. Initially and Just to start are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.