began receiving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began receiving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the start of the action of receiving something, typically in a past context. Example: "Last month, we began receiving the new shipments of supplies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Police began receiving emergency calls.

The Washington Post

Last month, he began receiving unemployment benefits.

The New York Times

Afterward, he began receiving death threats.

The New York Times

Immediately thereafter, he began receiving death threats.

The New York Times - Magazine

Since then, she began receiving disability payments.

The New York Times

Erica began receiving speech and physical therapy.

The Washington Post

Marilyn Hill began receiving licenses from the D.C.

The Washington Post

In despair, she quit and began receiving welfare.

The New Yorker

Students began receiving correct results shortly after 4pm.

Independent

All began receiving treatment, however, after the study ended.

The New York Times - Health

Soon after, he began receiving threatening phone calls at night.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began receiving" when you want to clearly indicate the starting point of a receiving process, whether it's tangible items, information, or abstract benefits. It's appropriate in formal writing and when precision is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "began receiving" when you actually mean to say someone started to 'perceive' or 'notice' something. "Receiving" implies getting something tangible or intangible, not just becoming aware.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began receiving" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the initiation of an action. It specifically highlights the start of the process of getting something, whether tangible or intangible, aligning with examples found in Ludwig's data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

14%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "began receiving" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that indicates the initiation of a receiving process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, but also appropriate for formal and professional settings. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of initiating a receiving action, as opposed to perceiving or continuing a pre-existing state. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "started getting" or "commenced receiving", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started getting

Focuses on the action of 'getting' rather than the formality of 'receiving'.

commenced to receive

More formal and emphasizes the official start of receiving.

initiated reception of

Highlights the act of starting a reception process, often for formal items or signals.

started to be given

Emphasizes the action of something being 'given' to someone.

found themselves getting

Indicates an unexpected or passive beginning of receiving.

entered into receipt of

A legalistic or very formal way to say began receiving.

took up receiving

Suggests a deliberate decision to receive something.

became a recipient of

Focuses on the state of being a 'recipient' rather than the action.

was at the receiving end of

Implies that the receiving action is not necessarily positive or desired.

experienced the start of

Describes beginning to receive something as an 'experience'.

FAQs

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

You can use "began receiving" to describe the start of a process where someone gets something, such as "After the announcement, the company "began receiving" numerous applications" or "He "began receiving" threatening letters after publishing his findings".

What are some alternatives to "began receiving"?

Some alternatives include "started getting", "commenced receiving", or "initiated reception of" depending on the level of formality you require.

Is it ever incorrect to use "began receiving"?

It would be incorrect if you meant someone started 'perceiving' something, or if you were describing something that had always been received. The phrase indicates a start to the action.

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

While both are very similar, "began receiving" carries a slightly more formal tone than "started receiving". The choice often depends on the context and desired level of formality.