I began to curse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I began to curse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone starts to express anger or frustration verbally, often using profanity. Example: "When I saw the damage to my car, I began to curse under my breath, unable to contain my frustration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I began to curse.

The New Yorker

"I thought that the storming of the school had begun, and I began to curse.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She began to curse Bonita and Verl.

The New Yorker

And the firefighters began to curse.

The New York Times - Sports

How the hell all-you get so fresh and conceited?' She began to curse.

The New Yorker

Two white males in their 20s pulled up and began to curse at Amrik Singh Bal, according to police in Fresno, California.

Independent

Later in the journey, the man sitting next to Mr. Singh began to curse him as "bin Laden" and hit him.

The New York Times

"God had double-crossed him," O'Neill elaborated in his scenario for the play, "and so he began to curse... and he reached for a bottle of whiskey and said to himself, By God, I'll show you!

The New York Times

Amid the general murmuring, Cephalus, a Retiree, began to curse so vehemently as to make Hera turn the color of pomegranate, saying that he too had been ill used by the Assembly.

The New York Times

He began to curse me out.

Huffington Post

As the poor guy quietly walked on board, rubbing his arm, another man pulled out a Rubix cube and began to curse the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) at the top of his lungs.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using the phrase "I began to curse". While it accurately conveys the start of expressing anger or frustration, be mindful of whether such language is appropriate for the situation.

Common error

While "I began to curse" indicates the start of using offensive language, avoid excessive or gratuitous cursing in your writing. Use it sparingly to maintain impact and avoid alienating your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I began to curse" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the speaker's initiation of expressing anger or frustration through swearing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I began to curse" is grammatically correct and used to describe the start of expressing anger or frustration, often through swearing. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples primarily from news and media contexts. While the phrase is useful for conveying strong emotions, be mindful of the context and audience to ensure appropriate language. Alternatives such as "I started swearing" or "I launched into a tirade" can be considered depending on the desired level of formality and intensity. Ludwig indicates that it's important to avoid overuse of profanity, maintaining its impact when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I started swearing

Replaces "curse" with the more general term "swearing", indicating the use of offensive language.

I launched into a tirade

Indicates a more extended and forceful expression of anger or criticism.

I let out a stream of expletives

Specifically describes the release of offensive words.

I started to rant

Suggests a prolonged and often impassioned expression of anger or disapproval.

I lost my temper and cursed

Highlights the loss of control leading to cursing.

I erupted in curses

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful nature of the cursing.

I began to swear profusely

Adds intensity to the act of swearing, indicating a large amount of offensive language.

I resorted to curses

Suggests that cursing was a last resort in expressing frustration.

I unleashed a barrage of profanities

Implies a continuous and forceful stream of offensive words.

I started uttering obscenities

Focuses on the type of language used: obscene words.

FAQs

What does "I began to curse" mean?

The phrase "I began to curse" means that the speaker started using offensive or impolite language, often as a result of anger, frustration, or some other strong emotion. It indicates the commencement of swearing or using profanities.

What can I say instead of "I began to curse"?

You can use alternatives like "I started swearing", "I launched into a tirade", or "I let out a stream of expletives" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I began to curse"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English sentence structure, with a subject ("I"), a verb ("began"), and an infinitive phrase ("to curse").

What is the difference between "I began to curse" and "I started cursing"?

The difference is subtle. "I began to curse" emphasizes the initiation of the action, while "I started cursing" is slightly more colloquial and focuses on the commencement of the cursing activity itself. Both are generally interchangeable.