and so the journey began

USAGE SUMMARY

"And so the journey began" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase at the beginning of a story or essay to introduce an event or journey that is about to take place. For example: "And so the journey began. Little did I know that I was about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And so the journey began.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But once the (Mass Effect-ish) dialogue wheel begins to turn – it always provides three potential actions or reactions – so "The Journey" begins to become tailored, unique to the audience of one.

Vice

And so the journey begins.

The New York Times

Beelzebub, a giant gray and pink fly with bulging eyes and a pentagram on its forehead, tells young, cherubic Satan to "defeat God," and so the journey begins.

Vice

They all pile into a broken down vehicle just a little too reminiscent of Little Miss Sunshine and so the journey begins.

Huffington Post

Consider two people circumnavigating the globe at the equator from the same starting point but moving in opposite directions; the two points furthest apart converge at the end where the journey began; so too here with anti-science zealotry on left and right: so far apart they merge together in a bond of extremism.

Huffington Post

"So let the journey begin".

The New York Times

So join me as the journey begins in the one place in Britain where you are guaranteed to find plenty of older voters.

BBC

I decided after many months that there was a lesson here that I could potentially share with other business owners and so my mentoring journey began.

Huffington Post

And so a journey began in which I talked regularly with Jason, his girlfriend and occasionally his family.

The New York Times

I decided to share this with some senior members of the fellowship, expecting at least some skepticism, but they all just cried, "Hallelujah!" And, so my journey began.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and so the journey began" to create a sense of anticipation and narrative momentum, signaling the start of a significant event or experience.

Common error

Avoid using "and so the journey began" excessively in formal or business writing. It can sound overly dramatic or cliché. Opt for more direct and professional language unless aiming for a specific narrative effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and so the journey began" functions as an introductory conjunction phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it signals the commencement of a significant event or experience, often setting a narrative tone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and so the journey began" is a grammatically correct conjunction phrase that functions as an introduction to a narrative or significant experience. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage in written English. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, its use should be tailored to avoid sounding cliché in overly formal settings. Related phrases, such as "thus began the expedition" or "the undertaking was now underway", offer alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. The phrase evokes anticipation and sets the stage for unfolding events, making it a useful tool in storytelling and descriptive writing. Key sources include The New York Times, Huffington Post, and The Guardian, among others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thus began the expedition

Replaces "journey" with "expedition", implying a more organized or adventurous undertaking.

and that's how the adventure started

Uses "adventure" instead of "journey", suggesting excitement and uncertainty.

and with that, the quest commenced

Substitutes "journey" with "quest", giving a sense of purpose or mission.

so commenced the voyage

Replaces "journey" with "voyage", suggesting a long trip.

the undertaking was now underway

Changes the structure to emphasize the active process of starting something.

and so the odyssey unfolded

Replacing "journey" with "odyssey" suggests a long and complex journey.

the first step had been taken

Focuses on the initial action rather than the overall experience.

the chapter had begun

Implies beginning of a new part of life.

the project was initiated

Replaces "journey" with "project", emphasizing a structured and planned activity.

the saga unfolded from that moment

Replaces "journey" with "saga", indicating a long and eventful series of occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "and so the journey began" in a sentence?

This phrase is typically used at the beginning of a narrative to indicate the start of a significant event or experience. For example: "And so the journey began. Little did they know what lay ahead."

What is a more formal alternative to "and so the journey began"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "Thus began the expedition" or "The undertaking was initiated" for a similar meaning without the narrative tone. See also "the undertaking was now underway".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "and so"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "and so" is grammatically acceptable. It functions as a conjunction to connect the current sentence with the previous one, indicating a consequence or continuation of thought. A similar phrase could be "thus began the expedition".

What feeling does "and so the journey began" evoke?

The phrase often evokes a sense of anticipation, adventure, and the start of something significant. It sets a narrative tone and invites the reader or listener to join the unfolding story or experience. Some phrases with a similar feeling include "and that's how the adventure started" or "so commenced the voyage".