began at

USAGE SUMMARY

"began at" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate the starting point of an action or event. Example: The concert began at 8 PM sharp, with the opening act playing their latest hit song.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It began at Goodwood.

Independent

Firing began at daybreak.

The New Yorker

IT began at Fred's.

The New York Times

The parade began at noon.

Independent

GEORGE BUSH began at Auschwitz.

The Economist

Practice typically began at noon.

The New York Times - Sports

The dancing began at eight.

The New Yorker

The signing began at noon.

The New Yorker

The N2O decomposition began at 280 °C.

Catalysis Today

The digging-out process began at once.

The New Yorker

The real difficulty began at Seventh Avenue.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began at" to clearly and concisely specify the starting point of an event, process, or activity. For example, "The meeting "began at" 9 a.m."

Common error

Avoid using alternative prepositions like "in" or "on" with "began". The correct form is "began at" to indicate a specific location or time. For example, use "The class "began at" the library" instead of "The class began in the library."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began at" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating the specific time or location where an event, activity, or process commenced. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used, especially to denote a starting point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began at" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to specify the starting point of an event or activity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, making it versatile for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "started at" or "commenced at" exist, "began at" remains a reliable and precise choice. Remember to use "at" to specify a time or location, distinguishing it from other prepositions like "on" or "in". The phrase's frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commenced at

Replaces "began" with "commenced", which is slightly more formal.

started at

Substitutes "began" with "started", offering a more casual alternative.

initiated at

Uses "initiated" instead of "began", implying a more formal or planned start.

originated at

Emphasizes the origin or source of something, rather than just its start.

was launched at

Suggests a more deliberate or public beginning.

kicked off at

An informal way to describe the beginning of an event or activity.

dated from

Focuses on establishing a specific point in time as the beginning.

stemmed from

Implies that something developed or arose from a particular place or time.

first occurred at

Highlights the initial occurrence of an event at a specific location.

dawned at

Uses a poetic expression to describe the beginning.

FAQs

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

The phrase "began at" is used to indicate the starting point of an event or activity. For example, "The concert "started at" 8 PM" or "The rescue "operation started at dawn".

What are some alternatives to "began at"?

Some alternatives include "commenced at", "started at", or "initiated at", depending on the context and level of formality you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "began on" instead of "began at"?

While "began on" can be used to specify a date (e.g., "The project began on Monday"), "began at" is used for a specific time or location (e.g., "The meeting "began at" 10 a.m.").

What's the difference between "began at" and "started at"?

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