0
Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Let's start with/from the top/basics.
Hi,
I know the corrrect way of saying these things should be,
1. Let's start from the top.
2. Let's start with the good news.
But I wonder why not
3. Let's start with the top.
4. Let's start from the good news.
Are there any context those sound natural?
Thanks in advance.
I know the corrrect way of saying these things should be,
1. Let's start from the top.
2. Let's start with the good news.
But I wonder why not
3. Let's start with the top.
4. Let's start from the good news.
Are there any context those sound natural?
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
) and work our way down. The difference is that "from the top" is associated with things that have a definite beginning or starting point, rather unambiguous, though one could also start in the middle, but there is still a beginning point known to all; while "with the top" is associated with having to start a job or action somewhere so why not there - there is no obvious "beginning" point to a building or a wall, right? ).
- ) and work our way down.
- The difference is that "from the top" is associated with things that have a definite beginning or starting point, rather unambiguous, though one could also start in the middle, but there is still a beginning point known to all; while "with the top" is associated with having to start a job or action somewhere so why not there - there is no obvious "beginning" point to a building or a wall, right?
- ).
- I suppose a case could be made that if it was a news article laid out in a linear fashion then one could possibly say this, but it still sounds strained to my ears.
- This is idiomatic stuff and not strictly Standard English.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
Let's start from the top = let's start at the beginning (of a series, a meeting, a list, a song, etc.) and work our way through to/forward to/ the end
let's start with the top = start at the top of the (pole, building, tree, painting job, etc.) and work our way down.
The difference is that "from the top" is associated with things that have a definite beginning or starting po
let's start with the top = start at the top of the (pole, building, tree, painting job, etc.) and work our way down.
The difference is that "from the top" is associated with things that have a definite beginning or starting po
00
Related Questions