I began working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I began working" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the start of an action, task, or job. For example: "After graduating from college, I began working as an accountant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BRODSKY: I began working when I was 15 years old.

The New Yorker

I began working on stories about battered women.

The New York Times

As soon as I could, I began working in retail.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I began working with Robin and everything changed".

The Guardian

I began working as a substance abuse counselor.

The Guardian - Opinion

I began working my way toward Denmark as soon as I arrived in Italy.

The New Yorker

With that thought, I began working on my remaining college applications fervently.

The New York Times

"Ramin and I began working together early in 2002," she wrote.

The New Yorker

He had a high school diploma when I began working with him six years ago.

The New York Times

I began working at Apple in hopes of having fulfilling moments like this.

Independent

I began working on the project in my late teens as a field technician.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember to follow "I began working" with a specific time frame or context to provide clarity. For example, "I began working at the company in 2018".

Common error

Avoid switching tenses after using "I began working". Maintain consistency in your writing by sticking to the past tense when describing actions that occurred after you started working. For example, do not say "I began working there and I am responsible for..." instead, use "I began working there and I was responsible for..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I began working" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. The subject "I" performs the action of beginning to work. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

27%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I began working" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the start of employment or a specific task. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used in diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general communication. While primarily neutral in register, it can be adapted to more formal settings with slight modifications. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to provide context regarding the time and nature of the work. Remember to maintain consistent tenses when continuing your narrative. The most frequent contexts of usage are “News & Media”, “Academia” and “Science”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I started working

Simple change of verb; direct synonym.

I commenced working

Uses a more formal verb.

I took up work

Indicates starting a job or task, slightly less direct.

I started a job

More specific about the nature of the work.

I began my employment

Replaces "working" with a more formal noun phrase.

I entered the workforce

Focuses on joining the broader labor market.

I found work

Highlights the act of securing employment.

I engaged in work

Emphasizes active participation in labor.

My working life began

Shifts the focus to the start of a career.

I started my career

Focuses on the start of a professional path.

FAQs

How can I use "I began working" in a sentence?

You can use "I began working" to describe the start of your involvement in a job, project, or task. For instance, "I began working on the project last month" or "I began working as a software developer after graduation".

What's a more formal way to say "I began working"?

If you want a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I commenced working" or "I initiated my employment".

Which is better, "I began working" or "I started working"?

Both "I began working" and "I started working" are correct and interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference, although "I began working" can sound slightly more formal.

Can I use "I began working" to describe volunteering?

Yes, you can use "I began working" to describe volunteering, especially if the role involved regular tasks and responsibilities. For example, "I began working as a volunteer at the local animal shelter".