began by recalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began by recalling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the initial action of someone who is reflecting on or remembering something as part of a narrative or explanation. Example: "She began by recalling her childhood memories, which set the tone for the rest of her story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Summers began by recalling a recent Harvard game against Brown.

The New York Times - Magazine

Israel's report began by recalling that "the state of Israel has been threatened by terrorism since its independence".

The New York Times

The saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell began by recalling how the organization grew out of the Experimental Band, led by Mr. Abrams on the South Side of Chicago.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not clear whether this should be cause for optimism.Mr Münchau began by recalling a conference on the creation of an Asian currency union that he had attended earlier in the year.

The Economist

She began by recalling that more than seven years ago she had "had the privilege of positing to an assemblage of your confreres the question of how to best the continuing challenge of Communism.

The New Yorker

Appearing before a group of journalists that had hosted the president on Tuesday, Mr. Romney began by recalling Mr. Obama's recent comment to Russia's leader, in a moment picked up by a live microphone, that his flexibility on foreign policy would increase after the election.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He begins by recalling his second year at Oxford, 1966.

The New Yorker

The poem begins by recalling the poet's father, now deceased, working at a paper company.

The New York Times - Books

He begins by recalling a speech given by the physicist Lord Kelvin at the end of the 19th century.

The Guardian

To make precise what we mean by all this, we begin by recalling the gist of our previous discussions of the philosophical rights and wrongs of the representational view of measurement.

Measurement

The series begins by recalling the 1984 bombing of the hotel where Margaret Thatcher, then the British prime minister, was staying for a conference in Brighton.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began by recalling" to smoothly transition into a reflective section of your writing, setting the stage for past events or experiences to be analyzed.

Common error

Ensure you use "recalling" when actively bringing something to mind for the purpose of sharing it, as opposed to simply "remembering" which is a more passive mental process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began by recalling" serves as a transitional phrase, primarily functioning to introduce a narrative or explanation rooted in past memories or experiences. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness in written English, aligning with observed usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began by recalling" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for introducing a reflective narrative or explanation. While Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, it's important to consider the context and choose the most appropriate alternative if needed. Related phrases like "started by remembering" or "commenced with a recollection" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and scientific contexts, making it suitable for neutral and formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started by remembering

This alternative replaces "recalling" with "remembering", focusing on the act of bringing something back to mind.

initiated by recounting

This alternative uses "recounting" instead of "recalling", highlighting the act of narrating or telling a story.

commenced with a recollection

This alternative uses a noun form, "recollection", changing the structure slightly.

opened with a memory of

This alternative focuses on the memory itself, rather than the act of recalling.

began with an anecdote about

This alternative specifies that the recalled information is an anecdote, adding more detail.

started off by citing

This alternative shifts the focus to citing a source, rather than recalling a memory or event.

launched by reflecting on

This emphasizes the act of thoughtful consideration rather than simple memory retrieval.

proceeded by alluding to

This suggests an indirect reference rather than a direct recollection.

introduced by referencing

This implies a more formal or academic introduction.

began by alluding to

This suggests an indirect reference rather than a direct recollection.

FAQs

What does "began by recalling" mean?

The phrase "began by recalling" means to start by bringing a past event, experience, or piece of information back into one's mind, often for the purpose of sharing it with others.

How can I use "began by recalling" in a sentence?

You can use "began by recalling" to introduce a narrative or explanation where you are reflecting on something from the past. For example, "The speaker "began by recalling" his childhood experiences to illustrate his point."

What are some alternatives to "began by recalling"?

Alternatives include phrases like "started by remembering", "commenced with a recollection", or "initiated by recounting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "began by recalling" or "started by remembering"?

"Began by recalling" tends to be slightly more formal than "started by remembering", with "recalling" carrying a more deliberate and reflective connotation. However, both are acceptable in most contexts.