27 Other Ways to Say “By Way of Introduction”
“By way of introduction” is a formal phrase often used to present oneself, another person, or a topic before diving into the main content of a conversation, email, or document. It signals that what follows is meant to serve as a preliminary explanation, a background context, or an opening statement meant to establish rapport or relevance. For example, someone might write, “By way of introduction, my name is Sarah, and I’ll be leading this project,” to gently set the stage before continuing.
While effective in many professional or academic situations, the phrase “by way of introduction” can sometimes feel overly stiff or repetitive, especially if used frequently. Fortunately, there are numerous alternatives that can serve the same purpose while adding variety, tone adjustments, or even a more modern or conversational flair depending on the setting.
This article explores 27 thoughtful and nuanced substitutes for “by way of introduction,” explaining their meaning, usage, and example sentences to help you broaden your communication toolkit.
Other Ways to Say “By Way of Introduction”
1. Let me begin by introducing…
Example: “Let me begin by introducing the core principles behind this methodology.”
Meaning: A courteous and clear way to initiate a discussion, presentation, or written explanation by first laying out an introductory point or person.
Usage: Suitable for both written and spoken formats in professional or educational environments.
2. To start with…
Example: “To start with, I’d like to provide a quick background on our team’s structure.”
Meaning: A casual and simple way to initiate an introduction or preface, especially when you plan to follow up with more detailed content.
Usage: Best suited for emails, informal meetings, or conversational writing.
3. Allow me to introduce…
Example: “Allow me to introduce Dr. Harris, a leading voice in behavioral economics.”
Meaning: A formal, polite way to begin presenting someone or something to an audience unfamiliar with them.
Usage: Common in professional presentations, conferences, or official documents.
4. As a preamble…
Example: “As a preamble, it’s important to understand the historical context of this debate.”
Meaning: Serves as a literary or formal way to indicate that what follows is foundational or preparatory material.
Usage: Well-suited for written works, lectures, or speeches with a more academic tone.
5. By means of introduction…
Example: “By means of introduction, here’s a brief overview of our client portfolio.”
Meaning: A slightly more formal variant of “by way of introduction,” often used to suggest a methodical entry into a topic.
Usage: Appropriate for business emails, presentations, and structured reports.
6. To get us started…
Example: “To get us started, let me share a quick overview of today’s agenda.”
Meaning: A conversational and accessible way to open up a meeting or discussion, signaling an easy transition into the content.
Usage: Ideal for informal team meetings, workshops, or interactive discussions.
7. I’d like to open with…
Example: “I’d like to open with a story that illustrates our approach to client service.”
Meaning: Sets the tone and direction of a conversation or presentation by highlighting the beginning point.
Usage: Works well in public speaking, storytelling formats, or engaging written narratives.
8. Let me start off by saying…
Example: “Let me start off by saying how excited I am to be working with all of you.”
Meaning: Warm and enthusiastic in tone, this phrase serves to gently begin a conversation with a personal touch.
Usage: Often used in introductions during team huddles or onboarding conversations.
9. Before we dive in…
Example: “Before we dive in, I’d like to quickly introduce myself and my role in this project.”
Meaning: A relaxed and modern preface used to frame introductory remarks before delving into the main content.
Usage: Perfect for webinars, digital meetings, or written posts that want to sound engaging yet professional.
10. Let’s begin with a brief introduction…
Example: “Let’s begin with a brief introduction to the key players in the market.”
Meaning: Straightforward and clear, this phrase serves as a neutral opener that efficiently prepares the audience.
Usage: Common in classroom settings, presentations, and written reports.
11. I’ll start by giving a short overview…
Example: “I’ll start by giving a short overview of how our process has evolved.”
Meaning: Signals a brief but informative start, especially helpful when summarizing before deeper analysis.
Usage: Best in professional reports, research presentations, or executive summaries.
12. Let me provide some context…
Example: “Let me provide some context before we discuss the new strategy.”
Meaning: Offers background information as a gateway to deeper discussion, often focusing on relevance.
Usage: Frequently used in meetings or proposals when context-setting is important for clarity.
13. To kick things off…
Example: “To kick things off, here’s a quick history of our company’s mission.”
Meaning: An upbeat and dynamic phrase that helps energize the start of a conversation or presentation.
Usage: Informal and best for team presentations, startup pitches, or internal workshops.
14. To give you a little background…
Example: “To give you a little background, I’ve been in this industry for over a decade.”
Meaning: A personal and friendly way of offering background information, especially about yourself or a topic.
Usage: Great for introductions in one-on-one conversations or onboarding emails.
15. Just to introduce myself…
Example: “Just to introduce myself—I’m Lisa, and I’ll be guiding you through today’s session.”
Meaning: A casual and approachable way to preface a self-introduction, often used in informal or semi-formal situations.
Usage: Ideal for video calls, internal emails, or meet-and-greet scenarios.
16. Here’s a bit about me…
Example: “Here’s a bit about me—I specialize in UX design with a focus on accessibility.”
Meaning: Friendly and direct, this phrase leads naturally into a short personal introduction.
Usage: Best for online profiles, presentations, or virtual networking events.
17. I’d like to share a few words about…
Example: “I’d like to share a few words about our new partner company.”
Meaning: A polished and polite way to transition into introducing someone or something relevant.
Usage: Appropriate for formal announcements or partner briefings.
18. Let’s take a moment to introduce…
Example: “Let’s take a moment to introduce the team behind this project.”
Meaning: Suggests a pause for introductory purposes and acknowledges the importance of presenting relevant people or background.
Usage: Excellent for meetings or group settings where multiple introductions are needed.
19. If I may, I’d like to begin with…
Example: “If I may, I’d like to begin with a short overview of our objectives.”
Meaning: Polite and modest, this phrase is often used in formal communication to respectfully take the floor.
Usage: Great for formal presentations, debates, or professional speaking engagements.
20. As an opening statement…
Example: “As an opening statement, I want to highlight the urgency of this issue.”
Meaning: Provides a framing statement that sets up the tone or focus for the discussion that follows.
Usage: Typically used in structured reports, public forums, or conferences.
21. In brief introduction…
Example: “In brief introduction, this proposal outlines the next steps in our expansion.”
Meaning: Concise and direct, this is useful for situations where brevity and clarity are key.
Usage: Helpful in memos, executive summaries, or condensed presentations.
22. Just to get started…
Example: “Just to get started, I’ll walk you through our mission and goals.”
Meaning: Easygoing and flexible, this phrase softens the beginning of a talk or explanation.
Usage: Great for workshops or interactive sessions where an informal tone is welcomed.
23. First off…
Example: “First off, I’d like to thank you all for being here.”
Meaning: Common and casual, this is a go-to for transitioning into the first part of a conversation or introduction.
Usage: Ideal for emails, speeches, or classroom introductions.
24. To frame our discussion…
Example: “To frame our discussion, I’ll offer a short background on current market trends.”
Meaning: Lays out the context that will help guide how the rest of the information is interpreted.
Usage: Frequently used in strategic conversations or analytical presentations.
25. Let’s set the stage with…
Example: “Let’s set the stage with some quick facts about the industry landscape.”
Meaning: Provides the foundation or initial context before delving into deeper analysis.
Usage: Suited for business meetings, thought leadership pieces, or training modules.
26. Let me orient you to…
Example: “Let me orient you to the structure of our training program.”
Meaning: Helps the audience or reader become familiar with a topic or environment they may be new to.
Usage: Ideal for onboarding, instructions, or program briefs.
27. It might be helpful to begin with…
Example: “It might be helpful to begin with a quick summary of our timeline.”
Meaning: Gentle and thoughtful, this phrase acknowledges that some context may ease understanding.
Usage: Useful in collaborative discussions, reports, and client communications.
When to Use Different “By Way of Introduction” Alternatives
In Professional Settings
In formal business meetings, executive emails, or industry presentations, it is often more appropriate to use polished and respectful alternatives like “Allow me to introduce,” “As an opening statement,” or “By means of introduction,” as these expressions convey a level of professionalism and structure expected in such environments.
In Informal or Conversational Settings
For team check-ins, personal emails, or casual webinars, more relaxed alternatives such as “To start with,” “Just to introduce myself,” or “To get us started” make your tone feel more engaging and relatable while still getting the message across clearly.
In Academic or Public Speaking Contexts
Academic presentations and public speaking often require clarity, authority, and thoughtful pacing, which makes options like “Let me provide some context,” “To frame our discussion,” or “As a preamble” especially appropriate, as they help prepare the audience for more complex or layered content that follows.
Conclusion
Although “by way of introduction” is a well-known and functional phrase, having a wide range of alternatives can significantly improve your communication, allowing you to adapt your tone, style, and clarity to suit any setting—whether you’re speaking to a boardroom, writing a blog, or emailing a new colleague. These 27 expressions give you the flexibility to choose the most appropriate introduction based on your audience and purpose.
Whether you prefer a casual opener or a formal tone, being mindful of your phrasing can make your message feel more intentional and impactful from the very beginning.
FAQs
What does “by way of introduction” mean?
It means “as an introduction” or “as a way to begin,” usually used to provide background or identify oneself or someone else before proceeding with the main content.
Is “by way of introduction” formal?
Yes, it’s typically formal and often used in professional writing or speech. Alternatives may help adjust the tone if something more casual or modern is needed.
Can I use “by way of introduction” in emails?
Absolutely, especially in formal emails, but it’s often more engaging to choose a clearer or more conversational option depending on your relationship with the recipient.
What’s the most casual way to introduce myself?
Phrases like “Just to introduce myself…” or “Here’s a bit about me…” are informal, warm, and work well in everyday or virtual settings.
Are there better options for public speaking?
Yes—expressions like “As a preamble,” “To frame our discussion,” or “Let’s begin with a brief introduction” help guide your audience clearly and set expectations effectively.
