I eventually began

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I eventually began" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that after some time or consideration, you started doing something. Example: "After months of hesitation, I eventually began to pursue my dream of becoming an artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I worked for Robert personally for about two years until I eventually began working in the Marc by Marc Jacobs Accessories Store on Bleecker Street.

The New York Times

By then it was approaching summer, and I eventually began to get to grips with the book when we reached Chania in Crete, which was to be our home for the next three years.

The Guardian - Books

Nine years ago I began writing about hope, and I eventually began to refer to my project as "snatching the teddy bear of despair from the loving arms of the left".

The Guardian - Opinion

But as I eventually began to speak (and write) their language, I also learned to marvel at its ubiquity (it is spoken by 9½ million people in a territory that goes quite a way beyond the frontiers of the principality itself) and to read its literature, from late medieval classics through to the work of contemporary novelists such as Jordi Puntí and Najat El Hachmi.

The Guardian - Travel

In order to cut costs, I eventually began reusing my insulin syringes.

Huffington Post

Even when I eventually began dating (the wrong people, I might add), my decision never to marry again was comforting -- something in my life I could control.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

She experienced the worst of the worst, and with all the research I did, and eventually began to include her in when she was ready, we never really found anything to help her via a support group or even one person her age to talk to so she didn't feel so alone.

Huffington Post

When I did eventually begin mine, I notified my mother with a note slipped under my morning breakfast bowl.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After Ben and I parted ways, I continued dating and eventually began a relationship with Liam, an entrepreneur in the midst of starting a new company.

Huffington Post

After graduation, I moved to the United States and eventually began writing detective stories set in Shanghai.

The New York Times

His conscience eventually began pricking him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I eventually began" to clearly indicate that an action or process started after a period of time, hesitation, or other preceding events. This helps establish a timeline for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "eventually" when describing actions that start immediately or without delay. "Eventually" implies a lapse in time before the action begins. For example, avoid saying "I eventually began to run as soon as I heard the gunshot."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I eventually began" functions as a verb phrase that expresses the commencement of an action after a period. As shown in the examples presented by Ludwig, the phrase is often used to indicate a delayed start or a process that unfolds over time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I eventually began" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, indicating the start of an action or process after a period of time or some preceding events. Ludwig highlights its use in various contexts, primarily within news and media. While "I eventually began" is considered a correct and useful phrase, it's important to note that depending on the context, alternatives such as "I finally commenced" or "I gradually initiated" may be more appropriate. According to Ludwig, the phrase is versatile enough for both formal and informal settings, and it serves to narrate events with an emphasis on the timeline and circumstances leading up to the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I started after some time

This alternative emphasizes the time elapsed before the action commenced.

I in the end started

Emphasizes the conclusion of a period before action.

I finally commenced

Highlights the end of a waiting period before starting.

I after a while initiated

Suggests a waiting period before starting something.

I gradually initiated

This suggests a slow and progressive start.

I with time started

Highlights the passage of time before the action.

I in time started

Similar to "after some time" but with a different word order.

I in due course began

Emphasizes that the start happened at the appropriate time.

I later got around to

Indicates a degree of procrastination before starting.

I eventually undertook

More formal, implying a deliberate and significant undertaking.

FAQs

What does "I eventually began" mean?

The phrase "I eventually began" indicates that after some time, hesitation, or a series of events, you started doing something. It implies a delayed start.

What can I say instead of "I eventually began"?

You can use alternatives like "I finally commenced", "I later got around to", or "I gradually initiated" depending on the context.

How do I use "I eventually began" in a sentence?

Use "I eventually began" to show that an action started after some time had passed. Example: "After months of planning, I eventually began writing my novel."

Is "I eventually began" formal or informal?

The phrase "I eventually began" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although there might be more suitable alternatives depending on the specific situation.