began getting better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began getting better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual improvement in a situation, condition, or person's health over time. Example: "After weeks of treatment, she began getting better and felt more like herself again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

They began getting better socialization and behavioral therapy in public school special education programs.

The New York Times

Once his career took off in the US, Oyelowo began getting better offers from the UK.

The Guardian - Film

Increasingly recognized as a serious actress, though, she began getting better roles in the early 1940s, then had a breakthrough in 1945, in the Billy Wilder drama "The Lost Weekend," winning praise as the patient girlfriend of an alcoholic (Ray Milland) who goes on a bender.

The New York Times

Greenblatt had a reputation for being smart and talent-friendly, and the station immediately began getting better pitches.

Forbes

After the stint in rehab, things began getting better.

Huffington Post

I began getting better acting roles especially for commercials with dialogue for beer, soap and other national spots.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Fyodorov took the girl in his arms to caress her and to leave his mother free to weep a little from joy. "Some man in Bear Hill has been given a medal, too," his mother began, getting the better of her tears.

The New Yorker

They began by getting better acquainted with the sex lives of other animals, poring through obscure old journals to gather information on species ranging from aardvarks to koalas.

The New York Times - Science

"After two bad years, things are not getting worse, and that's the beginning of things getting better," Dr. Levitan said.

The New York Times

As she recounted candidly in "Getting Better": "I began drinking seriously when I was 22, just out of college and beginning my career as a newspaperwoman.

The New York Times

He was moving up, getting better fights, beginning to earn as much as $100,000 a fight.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began getting better" to describe a gradual, noticeable improvement over time, particularly after a period of illness, difficulty, or decline. For example, "After weeks of physical therapy, she "began getting better" and regained her mobility."

Common error

Avoid using "began getting better" when referring to an instantaneous or immediate change. This phrase implies a process, not a sudden shift. Instead, consider words like "recovered instantly" or "immediately improved".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began getting better" functions as a verb phrase indicating the start of a process of improvement. Ludwig AI confirms this through examples demonstrating gradual positive change. The core function involves describing the initial phase of recovering from an illness, setback, or negative situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began getting better" describes the start of a recovery process or improvement over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common use across varied sources. While the phrase has a neutral register, it's essential to reserve it for gradual change rather than immediate shifts. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, "began getting better" conveys hope and progress, making it apt for news, general communication, and professional contexts needing descriptions of gradual improvements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started improving

Emphasizes the commencement of the improving process, focusing on the initial change.

began to improve

A more formal and direct way of saying "began getting better", highlighting the action of improving.

started to recover

Focuses specifically on recovering from an illness or setback.

began recovering

Similar to "started to recover" but with a slightly different emphasis on the ongoing process.

showed signs of improvement

Indicates that there were observable indications that someone or something was getting better.

started feeling better

Specifically relates to an improvement in health or well-being.

commenced improving

A more formal way of saying "started improving", often used in professional or academic contexts.

saw initial improvement

Highlights the initial stages of improvement.

things started looking up

An idiomatic expression indicating that a situation is improving.

the tide began to turn

Suggests a shift from a negative situation to a more positive one.

FAQs

What does "began getting better" mean?

The phrase "began getting better" signifies the commencement of a process of improvement, typically after a period of decline or difficulty. It implies a gradual and noticeable positive change.

What can I say instead of "began getting better"?

You can use alternatives like "started improving", "began to improve", or "started to recover" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "began to get better" instead of "began getting better"?

Yes, both "began to get better" and "began getting better" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations, although the latter may slightly emphasize the continuous nature of the improvement.

How do I use "began getting better" in a sentence?

You can use "began getting better" in a sentence to describe someone or something that has started to improve after a period of difficulty. For example, "After the surgery, he began getting better and was able to walk again."