began initially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began initially" is correct but somewhat redundant in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the starting point of an action or event, although "began" alone is usually sufficient. Example: "The project began initially in 2020, but it faced several delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The steep decline in prices began initially in Germany.

The Guardian

This attack began initially in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, but soon inspired some parallel revolts (or triggered previously planned coördinated attacks) in some other states.

The New Yorker

Black Lives Matter in the US began initially as a hashtag on social media in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who killed unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, black students in Prince Edward County, Va., where the second of the Brown cases began, initially campaigned for a new black school.

The New York Times - Books

Brailsford originally joined British Cycling in 1997 not long after Lottery funding began, initially because of his links with the cycle trade, but assuming greater responsibility under the then head Peter Keen before taking over as Performance Director when Keen moved on in 2003.

The Guardian - Sport

For all specimens, cracking began initially as short, vertical and discontinuous in the longitudinal direction near the upper test region.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

We carried out high-resolution simulations beginning initially from the first WL level (f0) and another beginning from the eighth WL level (f7) using all the data at the end of the previous level and showed that the results for the critical temperature Tc and the critical static exponents β and γ coincide within the error bars.

Journal of Computational Physics

Microsoft will begin initially with free apps, and has set the pricing of paid apps between $1.49 to $999.99.

TechCrunch

Although the villagers begin initially to evacuate the village, they decide to stay and rebuild it, persuaded by Radha.

Wikipedia

For example, the CIA assured the Justice Department that "enhanced interrogations" would begin initially using the least coercive forms of violence and psychological distress techniques.

Huffington Post

Closure of the wound begins initially with suturing of pronator quadratus back to its original position where possible.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether the word "initially" adds meaningful emphasis. Often, "began" alone is sufficient and more concise.

Common error

Avoid using "began initially" when the context already clearly indicates the start of something. Redundancy can make your writing sound less professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began initially" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement or starting point of an action or event. It modifies a verb, providing additional information about when the action began. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began initially" is used to denote the commencement of an action, with "initially" adding emphasis to the starting point. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig confirms, it can sometimes be redundant. Usage is most common in news and scientific contexts. When writing, consider whether "initially" adds significant meaning or if "began" alone is sufficient for concision. Alternatives like "started originally" or "commenced at first" can offer subtle shifts in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started originally

Replaces "began" with "started" and "initially" with "originally", offering a slightly more informal tone while maintaining the core meaning.

first started

A more direct and simple alternative, emphasizing the order of events.

commenced at first

Uses "commenced" for a more formal tone and "at first" to convey the initial stage.

initiated early on

Emphasizes the early stage of initiation with "early on", while "initiated" is a more formal synonym for "began".

originated in the beginning

Highlights the point of origin and the beginning stage, providing a slightly different perspective.

was launched primarily

Focuses on the launch or commencement of something, with "primarily" indicating the initial focus.

debuted initially

Suggests a first appearance or introduction, maintaining the "initially" aspect.

emerged at the outset

Highlights the emergence or start with "at the outset", providing a more formal alternative.

kicked off at the start

Uses a more informal expression "kicked off" to indicate the beginning.

conceived in the first instance

Offers a formal and precise alternative, emphasizing the initial conception or idea.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "began initially"?

Yes, "began initially" is grammatically correct, though somewhat redundant. The word "initially" emphasizes that it's the starting point. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase "began initially" is correct, but sometimes "began" is enough.

What are some alternatives to "began initially"?

Some alternatives include "started originally", "commenced at first", or simply "began" depending on the context.

When should I use "began initially" instead of just "began"?

Use "began initially" when you want to emphasize the starting point or initial phase of an action or process, especially if there are subsequent phases or developments to highlight. However, in many cases, "began" alone is sufficient.

Is there a difference in formality between "began initially" and "started originally"?

Began initially is slightly more formal than "started originally". "Commenced initially" is even more formal. Consider your audience and the context of your writing when choosing between these options.