20 Other Ways to Say “First of All”

Language has its own rhythm, and using the same expressions repeatedly can make your writing sound flat. Adding variety with alternatives to “first of all” keeps your sentences lively and your tone natural. Whether you’re crafting an email, giving a talk, or starting an essay, choosing the right phrase helps with coherence in writing and builds a professional yet friendly voice. These expressions also make your ideas flow smoothly, improving the overall writing structure and flow for any audience.

Each synonym for “first of all” adds its own shade of meaning—some formal, others conversational. By mastering these sequence expressions in English, you’ll sound confident and precise, no matter the setting.

To begin with

Usage & meaning: Use this when starting a list or discussion—emphasising the first point in a friendly, straightforward way.

Scenario (Email):

Hi Sarah,
To begin with, I’d like to thank you for your prompt feedback on the draft. Next, we’ll review the timeline and budget. Let me know your thoughts.
Best, Alex
Notes: This is a strong option when you’re introducing points effectively in an email or informal report.

Initially

Usage & meaning: Indicates the first stage of a process, often hinting that something changed afterwards.

Scenario (Report):
“At the outset of the project we thought we’d finish in six months. Initially, we planned one team; now we’ve expanded to three.”
Notes: Perfect for describing development over time—good for academic writing phrases and business case-studies.

To start

Usage & meaning: A simple, direct way to launch into your first point or section.

Scenario (Presentation):
“To start, I want to highlight the key challenges we face this quarter. Then we’ll move into our action plan.”
Notes: Suitable for spoken contexts, workshops or informal presentations where clarity matters.

In the first place

Usage & meaning: Emphasises the primary or original reason for something.

Scenario (Memo):

Team,
In the first place, our goal is customer retention—not just new sales. Without retention we won’t scale sustainably.
Regards, Priya
Notes: Works well in professional communication terms, especially when you’re prioritising information.

Check out this: 30 Creative Ways to Say “About Us”

At the outset

Usage & meaning: Suggests something from the very beginning, often in more formal or structured writing.

Scenario (White paper):
“At the outset of this study we established clear metrics for success. These served as our baseline for all subsequent phases.”
Notes: A good fit when you’re writing for an academic or corporate audience and want to sound polished.

Foremost

Usage & meaning: Focuses on priority above other points; this is less about order and more about importance.

Scenario (Team email):

Hello everyone,
Foremost, thank you for your hard work on this campaign. Next, we’ll review our results and plan the next steps.
Cheers, Marcus
Notes: Great when you emphasise a key message before listing others—perfect for prioritization expressions.

Primarily

Usage & meaning: Means “mainly” or “chiefly”—you’re zooming in on the main focus.

Scenario (Policy document):
“Our audit was primarily concerned with financial controls; secondary checks addressed operational risks.”
Notes: Good for writing where you need precision and structure—very useful in academic discourse.

Above all

Usage & meaning: Indicates that one point matters more than everything else.

Scenario (Motivational speech):
“Above all, stay true to your values. Everything else—skill, network, resources—flows from that.”
Notes: Works well in inspiring contexts or when you want to highlight a core principle.

Firstly and most importantly

Usage & meaning: Combines a sense of sequence (firstly) with the idea of utmost importance.

Scenario (Business plan):
“Firstly and most importantly, we must secure our funding. Once that’s in place, we’ll assemble the team and begin development.”
Notes: Ideal in persuasive or strategic writing where you want to make the first point count.

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First and foremost

Usage & meaning: Very similar to “firstly and most importantly”, emphasises the first point is also the primary one.

Scenario (Corporate presentation):
“First and foremost, our brand promise remains transparency. From there we’ll expand our digital reach and enhance customer experience.”
Notes: A classic phrase in formal transition words and presentation opening phrases.

In the beginning

Usage & meaning: Emphasises the origin of something; more narrative than procedural.

Scenario (Story/Case study):
“In the beginning, the startup was just two friends with a laptop and an idea. Now we’ve grown into a global team.”
Notes: Useful for storytelling, background sections, or establishing context.

To start with

Usage & meaning: Slightly informal, friendly and easy to slot into conversation or writing.

Scenario (Informal memo):
“Hi team, to start with we’ll review the marketing budget. Then we’ll allocate tasks and set deadlines.”
Notes: Works for everyday business writing and aligns well with conversational alternatives.

First off

Usage & meaning: Casual yet effective. Good for spoken contexts or friendly written communication.

Scenario (Team chat):
“First off: thanks for your help last week. Next, could you send over the updated spreadsheet by Friday?”
Notes: Keeps the tone light, suitable for teams or less formal channels.

To kick things off

Usage & meaning: Very conversational; suggests launching into an activity, meeting or series.

Scenario (Meeting agenda):
“To kick things off, let’s review our achievements from Q3. After that we’ll set priorities for Q4.”
Notes: Great for meetings, workshops or collaborative sessions.

As a starting point

Usage & meaning: Implies this is the initial foundation or reference for what follows.

Scenario (Research proposal):
“As a starting point, we gathered data from three regions. From that we built our hypothesis and methodology.”
Notes: Excellent for structured writing—especially in academia or formal reports.

For your interest: 21 other ways to say “with that being said”

At the very beginning

Usage & meaning: Emphasises the very start of something with a bit more emphasis than “at the beginning”.

Scenario (Legacy write-up):
“At the very beginning our only product was a single prototype. We tested it in one market before expanding globally.”
Notes: Adds drama or emphasis useful in narrative or historical contexts.

In the first instance

Usage & meaning: More formal, often used in legal, academic or technical writing to mean “in the first place” or “initially”.

Scenario (Academic paper):
“In the first instance, the sample size was limited; following that we expanded to include additional demographics.”
Notes: Perfect if you’re writing for a formal audience and want to vary your lead-in phrase.

At first glance

Usage & meaning: Means “when one looks at this initially”, often hinting there’s more complexity beneath.

Scenario (Email analysis):
“At first glance the results appear positive. However, after a deeper look we found some outliers we must address.”
Notes: Good for commentary, reviewing data or when you want to indicate something might evolve.

To launch into

Usage & meaning: Suggests you’re about to dive into something more substantive—often used in speeches or articles.

Scenario (Conference opening):
“To launch into our discussion: we’ll examine market trends, competitor moves and consumer behaviour in turn.”
Notes: Slightly more dynamic—excellent for live speaking or more dramatic writing.

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From the outset

Usage & meaning: Indicates from the very start; emphasizes that a condition or set of conditions was present originally.

Scenario (Strategy document):
“From the outset we built the platform to be scalable; that decision now pays dividends in performance and stability.”
Notes: Strong choice for formal writing, reinforcing foundational decisions or conditions.

Table of Synonyms

Phrase	Tone
To begin with	Friendly
Initially	Formal
To start	Neutral
In the first place	Formal
At the outset	Formal
Foremost	Priority
Primarily	Analytical
Above all	Emphasis
Firstly and most importantly	Emphasis
First and foremost	Emphasis
In the beginning	Narrative
To start with	Informal
First off	Casual
To kick things off	Conversational
As a starting point	Academic
At the very beginning	Emphatic
In the first instance	Technical
At first glance	Observational
To launch into	Dynamic
From the outset	Foundational

FAQs

Can these alternatives be used in both speech and writing?

Yes, most alternatives to “first of all” work well in both spoken and written English depending on tone and context.

Which phrase suits formal documents best?

Phrases like “at the outset” or “in the first instance” are ideal for formal reports or academic writing.

Are any of these phrases considered outdated?

No, all these sequence expressions in English are still widely accepted and used in modern communication.

Can I use more than one of these in the same text?

Yes, mixing them adds variety and helps maintain flow and coherence in longer pieces.

Do these expressions affect the tone of writing?

Absolutely, choosing the right synonym for “first of all” can make your tone sound friendly, professional, or persuasive.

Conclusion

Learning different synonyms for “first of all” gives you the flexibility to match every mood, purpose, or audience. These alternatives make your writing polished, smooth, and more engaging. They help you introduce points effectively and add rhythm to your sentences.

From “to begin with” to “from the outset,” each phrase improves your communication effectiveness and adds variety to your style. The right transition not only catches attention but also makes your message easier to follow. A small change in phrasing can make a big difference in clarity and tone.