began studying

USAGE SUMMARY

"began studying" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It indicates the start of an action or activity, specifically in the context of studying. Example: Mary began studying for her exam two weeks before the test date.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So, he began studying.

The New Yorker

He began studying Hebrew in 1921.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Allen began studying his boss's style.

The New York Times

He began studying the piano at 8.

The New York Times - Arts

He began studying the next morning.

The New York Times

She began studying the arts in Germany.

The New York Times

He began studying at Trinity College, Dublin.

The Guardian - Books

He began studying the cello at 11.

The New York Times

He began studying to become a psychotherapist.

The New York Times

Ms. Kistler began studying at the school in 1976.

The New York Times - Arts

Marcus began studying electron-transfer reactions in the 1950s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's initial engagement with a subject, "began studying" is a straightforward way to convey this information.

Common error

Ensure that the tense remains consistent within the sentence and paragraph when using "began studying". Avoid shifting to present tense without reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began studying" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action, specifically the act of studying. Ludwig's examples illustrate its usage across various subjects and disciplines, denoting the initial phase of learning or research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began studying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies the commencement of learning or investigation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to encyclopedic entries. While alternatives like "started studying" and "commenced studying" exist, "began studying" maintains a neutral register suitable for varied forms of communication. The primary function of the expression is to denote the starting point of the educational activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commenced studying

Formally indicates the start of studying, often used in more academic or official contexts.

started to study

A more casual and common way to express the beginning of studying.

initiated studies in

Emphasizes the formal commencement of a course of study or research.

took up the study of

Implies a deliberate and active choice to start learning something.

embarked on a study of

Suggests a more involved and dedicated undertaking of studying.

set about learning

Highlights the initiation of a learning process with a specific goal.

undertook the study of

Formally describes the start of an academic study or investigation.

pioneered research into

Implies beginning an exploratory investigation.

delved into

Suggests an immersive and in-depth start to studying a subject.

entered into the field of study

Formally describes the beginning of one's research or studies into the chosen subject.

FAQs

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

"Began studying" is used to indicate the start of a learning process. For example: "He "began studying" piano at age 5."

What are some alternatives to "began studying"?

Some alternatives include "started studying", "commenced studying", or "initiated studies".

Is it correct to say "began to study" instead of "began studying"?

Both "began to study" and "began studying" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable, but "began studying" is often more concise.

What is the difference between "started studying" and "began studying"?

The phrases "started studying" and "began studying" are very similar in meaning, with "began studying" sometimes considered slightly more formal.