began to affect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to affect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the start of an influence or impact on someone or something. Example: "The changes in policy began to affect the overall performance of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The stress of the situation began to affect his work.

The New Yorker

A strange aphasia began to affect both my languages.

The New York Times - Magazine

Those socioeconomic developments naturally began to affect politics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Improved minting techniques began to affect their appearance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mrs. Rodriguez's unhappiness began to affect the rest of the family.

The New York Times

The stress of O'Neill's tangled personal life began to affect his professional behavior.

The New Yorker

The Polish example also began to affect the internal evolution of magnate-dominated Lithuania.

Britannica

It was so popular, it began to affect the pop charts.

The Washington Post

All of these sustained and prolonged contacts began to affect the island societies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Meanwhile, the Romantic literary movement of western Europe began to affect the emerging Czech literature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's beginning to affect people now".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "began to affect", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being affected and the nature of the effect. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "effect" as a verb instead of "affect". Remember that "affect" is typically a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is usually a noun meaning a result or consequence. Double-check your sentence to ensure you're using the correct word for the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to affect" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of influence or impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase for describing the start of an effect on something. Examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began to affect" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that signifies the commencement of an influence or impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though most frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in specifying what is being affected and the nature of the impact to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of the distinction between "affect" and "effect" to prevent common grammatical errors. Consider alternatives like "started to influence" or "began to impact" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to have an effect on

Adds "have an" to emphasize the result of the initial action, highlighting the ensuing effect.

started to influence

Replaces "began" with "started" and "affect" with "influence", slightly altering the connotation to suggest a gradual impact.

started to impact

Uses "impact" instead of "affect", which conveys a stronger sense of influence or consequence.

commenced to influence

Replaces "began" with "commenced", adding a more formal tone, and uses "influence" instead of "affect".

initiated an effect on

Emphasizes the initiation of an effect, making the action more deliberate and the impact more pronounced.

began to alter

Highlights the commencement of change or modification, emphasizing a transformation.

started having repercussions for

Shifts the focus to repercussions, suggesting more significant and lasting consequences.

began to take its toll on

Implies a negative impact or burden, differing from the more neutral "affect".

became influential upon

Focuses on the subject becoming influential, changing the perspective slightly.

started to shape

Suggests a more formative influence, implying a change in the fundamental nature of something.

FAQs

What's the difference between "began to affect" and "began to effect"?

"Began to affect" means started to influence something. "Began to effect", though less common, means started to bring something about or cause it to happen. The words "affect" and "effect" have different meanings and usages.

What are some alternatives to "began to affect"?

You can use phrases like "started to influence", "began to impact", or "started to shape" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

Here's an example: "The new regulations began to affect small businesses." This sentence shows that the regulations started to have an influence or impact on the businesses.

Is "began to affect" formal or informal?

"Began to affect" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. It's a neutral phrase commonly used in various contexts, from news articles to academic papers.