I began to talk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I began to talk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the initiation of speech or conversation in a narrative or storytelling context. Example: "As the meeting progressed, I began to talk about my ideas for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Spontaneously, I began to talk.

The New Yorker

I began to talk that way too.

The New York Times - Magazine

I began to talk like a Jew.

The New Yorker

The man and I began to talk.

The New Yorker

Suddenly, my journalistic instinct kicked in, and I began to talk to them.

The New York Times

"Then one day I began to talk and I've never stopped since".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Raising the curtain on it, he said, "I begin to talk about my writing life," how writing remains a mystery and how intuition carries him through to the end.

The New York Times - Books

So after I listen, I begin to talk to them about the need to have short and long term goals.

Huffington Post

These were among the reactions I received when I first began to talk about toilets and open defecation at the United Nations some years ago.

Huffington Post

And I also began to talk to many of my neighbours for the first time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So as she went through life and saw how things were evolving, I think she began to talk about them as they related to her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure to avoid repetition. Consider using alternatives like "I started speaking" or "I commenced talking" to add variety.

Common error

Avoid using "I began to talk" excessively in close proximity. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, use synonyms or rephrase to maintain reader engagement and flow.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I began to talk" is to describe the initiation of speech or conversation in the past. It functions as a simple declarative statement indicating the commencement of speaking.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I began to talk" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate the commencement of speech. As per Ludwig, it is simple to understand and use, and appears commonly in news and media sources. For increased impact and flow, consider substituting with semantically related phrases such as "I started talking" or "I commenced speaking", and avoid overuse to maintain engaging content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I started talking

Simple substitution of 'began' with 'started', maintaining the same meaning.

I commenced speaking

'Commenced speaking' is a more formal way of saying 'began to talk'.

I initiated a conversation

Focuses on starting a conversation rather than just speaking.

I opened my mouth to speak

Emphasizes the physical action of starting to speak.

I found myself talking

Suggests a less deliberate start to speaking.

I broke the silence

Highlights that the speech interrupts a period of quiet.

I launched into speech

Implies a more forceful or sudden commencement of speaking.

I uttered my first words

Focuses on the initial words spoken in a specific situation.

I engaged in conversation

Highlights the participation in a conversation.

I started to chat

Suggests a casual or informal conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "I began to talk" in a sentence?

You can use "I began to talk" to describe the moment you started speaking. For example, "As the meeting progressed, "I began to talk" about my ideas for the project."

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

You can use alternatives like "I started talking", "I commenced speaking", or "I initiated a conversation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I begin to talk" instead of "I began to talk"?

While "I began to talk" refers to a past action, "I begin to talk" suggests a present or future action. The correct choice depends on the intended tense. For example, "Every time I feel nervous, "I begin to talk" rapidly."

What's the difference between "I began to talk" and "I started to talk"?

The phrases "I began to talk" and "I started to talk" are largely interchangeable. "Began" is slightly more formal than "started", but in most contexts, they convey the same meaning.