New2grammar  +  324879 Tue, 06 Feb 07 01:38 AM The meanings for the phrases "to start with" and "in the first place" are the same. Does that mean they are interchangable? New2grammar Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006 Veteran Member 7,676 Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

	Philip  +  324893 Tue, 06 Feb 07 02:39 AM  New2grammar wrote: The meanings for the phrases "to start with" and "in the first place" are the same. Does that mean they are interchangable? In most contexts they are probably interchangeable.  However, when using either one, do not make the mistake that many others make:  not offering "a second place" or "and then". "I am not going to recognize you to speak at this meeting." "Why?"   "In the first place, you are not a member." [End of conversation] Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,738 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen Grammar, Conversations

	CalifJim  +  324900 Tue, 06 Feb 07 03:14 AM My reaction was similar to Philip's.  "in the first place" suggests that the first item of a multi-item list is about to be announced.  I don't feel the same for "to start with" -- just the possibility of an "and then" later on. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,458 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	New2grammar  +  325109 Tue, 06 Feb 07 01:28 PM I think one of the meanings of these phrases is "the first item of a multi-item list". The other meaning does not seem to be related to multi-item list. For example, How did I get infected in the first place? The meaning here is somewhat like 'initially' or 'in the beginning'. With this meaning, can I still interchange these phrases? 'How did I get infected to start with?' or 'To start with, how did I get infected?'   New2grammar