as he began

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as he began" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate the beginning of an action or event. Example: As he began to climb the mountain, he felt a sense of excitement and determination wash over him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As he began to answer, the usual bombast was missing.

The New York Times

As he began unlacing his boots, she lit a cigarette.

The New Yorker

As he began answering questions, I fell asleep.

The New York Times

As he began his oration, she lifted an umbrella.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gottlieb's parents watched as he began hitting developmental milestones.

The New York Times - Arts

But as he began his remarks, chants of "Resign!

The New York Times

I stared open-mouthed as he began his speech.

The Guardian

He began his overview as he began his career, with United Auto Workers.

Cornell University

McFaul was positive about a healthier US-Russia relationship as he began his duties in Moscow.

Stanford University

But as soon as he began to get the "beautiful words" on paper, he won competitions.

The Economist

As he began to explain, he could think of only two.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as he began", ensure the subsequent clause clearly outlines the action or state that commenced. This clarity improves sentence flow and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "as he began" without completing the thought. For instance, don't say "As he began..." and then leave the sentence unfinished. Always specify what action or event was initiated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as he began" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that sets the stage for the main clause. It indicates the commencement of an action or state, providing temporal context. Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as he began" is a grammatically correct and commonly used conjunction phrase. It serves to introduce the start of an action or event, frequently appearing in News & Media, Academia and Wiki. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage. When writing, use "as he began" to provide a clear starting point in a sequence of events, ensuring the subsequent clause specifies the action initiated. Avoid leaving the sentence incomplete. Consider alternatives like "when he started" or "upon commencing" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as soon as he commenced

Emphasizes the immediacy of the action following the start.

when he started

Focuses on the timing of the beginning action.

once he started

Indicates that something happened after the start of an action.

upon commencing

A more formal way to indicate the start of an action.

as he initiated

Highlights the act of initiating or starting something.

at the start of his

Emphasizes the initial phase of an activity or process.

in his opening moments

Highlights the initial time frame of his activity.

from the moment he began

Focuses on a specific point in time.

with the onset of his

Highlights the beginning or commencement of something.

at the inception of

A formal way to refer to the beginning of something.

FAQs

How can I use "as he began" in a sentence?

Use "as he began" to introduce an action or event that someone started. For example, "As he began to speak, the audience fell silent."

What are some alternatives to "as he began"?

You can use alternatives like "when he started", "upon commencing", or "as soon as he commenced" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "as he began" and "when he began"?

"As he began" emphasizes the starting point of an action, while "when he began" focuses on the timing relative to another event. Both can often be used interchangeably, but "as" provides a slightly stronger sense of initiation.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "as he began"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "as he began". It introduces a subordinate clause, which needs to be followed by a main clause to form a complete sentence.