began constructing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began constructing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the start of a building or creating process in the past. Example: "The city began constructing a new bridge last year to improve traffic flow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He began constructing them in the early sixties.

The New Yorker

Japanese troops landed on Guadalcanal on July 6 , 1942 and began constructing an airfield there.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Haynes began constructing his own recipe, occasionally incorporating it into cocktails served at the bar.

The New York Times

The new owners tore down the existing structure and began constructing a six-story building.

The New York Times

Mashhad also began constructing a metro system, the first line of which opened in 2011.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In late February, the hawks indeed began constructing an enormous ramshackle nest of sticks and branches.

The New York Times - Arts

I began constructing crossword puzzles in early 2006 and was lucky to have my first attempts published quite quickly.

The New York Times

Forgeron arrived four days later with six men, who began constructing a raft of the cut pines.

The New Yorker

Bosnia Sarajevo tunnel In 1993, citizens in Sarajevo began constructing a 1.5m high, 800m long underground passage.

The Guardian

To amuse himself, he began constructing myths about himself — an adventure in Paris, a romance with a schoolmate — and tried to convince friends that they were true.

The New Yorker

In 1945 Bugsy Siegel, one of the most prominent of these criminals, began constructing the Flamingo, the city's first major casino and hotel complex.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "began constructing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being built or created. Specify the object of construction for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "began constructing" without specifying what was being constructed. Ensure the object of construction is clear to prevent confusion. For example, instead of "They began constructing", specify "They began constructing a new school".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began constructing" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the initiation of a building or creation process in the past. Ludwig examples show it used to describe the start of physical structures, abstract plans, or even myths.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

26%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began constructing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase to indicate the commencement of a building or creation process. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears across diverse contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific publications. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While alternatives like "started building" or "initiated construction" exist, "began constructing" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various registers. It's crucial to specify the object of construction to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started building

Direct replacement, focuses on the physical act of building.

initiated construction

More formal and emphasizes the start of the construction process.

commenced building

Very formal and emphasizes the official start of building.

embarked on construction

Emphasizes the start of a significant or complex building project.

undertook the building of

Formal and suggests a planned or intentional building effort.

set about constructing

Implies a deliberate and purposeful start to the construction.

laid the foundation for

Focuses on the initial stages and preparation for construction.

pioneered the construction of

Suggests innovation or being the first to build something.

inaugurated the building of

More formal way to say the start of a building.

broke ground on

Idiomatic expression indicating the physical start of building construction.

FAQs

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

Use "began constructing" to indicate the start of a building or creation process in the past. For instance, "The city "began constructing" a new bridge last year".

What are some alternatives to "began constructing"?

You can use alternatives like "started building", "initiated construction", or "commenced building" depending on the context.

Is "began constructing" formal or informal?

"Began constructing" is relatively neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The specific context will determine the overall formality of the sentence.

What's the difference between "began constructing" and "started building"?

While both phrases are similar, "began constructing" tends to be slightly more formal than "started building". The choice depends on the desired tone of your writing.