began to

USAGE SUMMARY

'began to' is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb 'begin', and is used to indicate that someone or something started to do something. For example: I began to worry when I didn't see him at the meeting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fans began to leave.

The New York Times - Sports

He began to shoot.

The New Yorker

I began to eat.

The New Yorker

She began to cough.

The New Yorker

Annie began to run.

The New Yorker

She began to sob.

The New Yorker

We began to drowse.

The New Yorker

He began to experiment.

The New York Times

"I began to shine.

The New York Times

Rex began to howl.

The New Yorker

He began to yell.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began to" to clearly indicate the starting point of an action or process. It provides a straightforward way to describe the commencement of an event, ensuring clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "start to begin", as it is redundant. "Began to" already implies the initiation of an action, so using "start" in conjunction is unnecessary and weakens the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to" functions as the past tense form of a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of an action or state. It is used to describe when something started. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "began to" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate the start of an action or state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, primarily within News & Media. While alternatives such as "started to" and "commenced to" exist, "began to" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice. It's important to avoid redundancy by not using phrases like "start to begin". Overall, "began to" is a reliable and effective way to express the initiation of an action in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to

Replaces "began" with its direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning and grammatical structure.

commenced to

A more formal alternative to "began", implying a deliberate or official start.

initiated

Focuses on the action of starting something, often with a sense of formality or planning.

proceeded to

Suggests a sequential action, where one event follows another in a logical order.

set about to

Implies a determined or purposeful start to a task or activity.

undertook to

Indicates taking on a responsibility or task with a formal commitment.

moved to

Suggests a transition from one state or action to another, implying a change in direction.

went on to

Implies a continuation of a previous action or state, often with a sense of progression.

got down to

Suggests starting something with a sense of purpose and focus, often after a period of delay.

entered into

Implies formally or deliberately starting an activity, agreement, or state.

FAQs

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

"Began to" is used to indicate the start of an action or process. For example, "The rain "began to fall"" or "She "began to sing"".

What are some alternatives to "began to"?

Alternatives include "started to", "commenced to", or "initiated", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use "began to"?

While "began to" is generally correct, avoid overuse. Sometimes, a more concise verb can convey the same meaning more effectively. For example, instead of "He began to run", you could simply say "He "ran"".

What's the difference between "began to" and "starting to"?

"Began to" is the past tense, indicating an action that started in the past. "Starting to" is the present continuous tense, indicating an action that is currently in the process of beginning. For example, "Yesterday, she "began to cry"", versus "She is "starting to cry" now".