began that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be used in contexts where "began" is followed by a specific action or event, but it typically requires additional context to be meaningful. Example: "She began that project last year, and it has since evolved into something much larger."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Work on the dome began that year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it hardly began that way.

The New York Times

"The revolution began that day".

The New York Times - Arts

Her funeral began that evening.

The Guardian

The massacre began that night.

The Guardian

Two movements began that day.

The New York Times - Sports

We never began that process, never".

The New York Times

The computer attacks began that night.

The New York Times

The music began, that familiar chugging.

The Guardian - Music

Then again, the cellphone itself began that way.

The New York Times

My career as a historian began that afternoon in 1960.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "started that", "initiated that", or restructure the sentence for better clarity. For instance, instead of "The project began that year", try "The project started that year".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "began that" in formal writing. It's often grammatically awkward and can be replaced with a more precise and clear alternative. Ensure your writing is concise and easily understood by using stronger verbs and clearer sentence structures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began that" functions as a verbal phrase attempting to connect an action with a subsequent event or object. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not grammatically correct and often requires rephrasing for clarity. Its use is generally discouraged in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "began that" is frequently found across diverse sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. This suggests that while common, it is advisable to opt for clearer, more grammatically sound alternatives like "started that" or restructure the sentence entirely. The phrase appears most often in news and media contexts, but its usage should be approached with caution in formal writing. Choosing more precise language enhances clarity and strengthens the overall quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started that

Replaces "began" with "started", a more common and generally preferred alternative.

initiated that

Substitutes "began" with "initiated", which provides a more formal tone.

commenced that

Uses "commenced" instead of "began", adding a more sophisticated nuance.

that started

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the action, by placing the focus on 'that'.

the beginning of that

Adds "the beginning of" to clarify the start of something.

that commenced

Emphasizes commencement while using the passive voice.

the origin of that

Shifts the focus to the origin or source of something.

that was initiated

Changes to a passive form, focusing on the initiation of something.

from that point

Indicates a starting point or a specific time from which something began.

the inception of that

Uses "inception" to refer to the very start or beginning of something.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "began that"?

Alternatives include "started that", "initiated that", or rephrasing the sentence for better clarity, like "That's where it all began".

How can I rephrase a sentence using "began that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, replace "began that" with "commenced that" or use a structure like "The inception of that occurred in..." to add sophistication.

Is "began that" considered grammatically correct in academic writing?

No, "began that" is generally considered grammatically awkward and not suitable for academic writing. Opt for clearer alternatives such as "started that" or restructuring the sentence.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using phrases similar to "began that"?

Avoid vague phrasing and ensure the context is clear. Instead of saying "The problem began that day", specify what action or event "initiated that" problem or led to its beginning.