began to arrive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to arrive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the start of a process where people or things start coming to a location. Example: "As the event time approached, guests began to arrive, filling the venue with excitement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Guests began to arrive.

The New Yorker

Other people began to arrive.

The New Yorker

Coaches began to arrive here anyway.

The New York Times - Sports

The other chefs began to arrive.

The New Yorker

Guests began to arrive at five o'clock.

The New Yorker

Finally, unsolicited buyout offers began to arrive.

The New York Times

The guests began to arrive.

The New Yorker

Almost immediately, legal letters began to arrive.

The Guardian

Then the bodies began to arrive.

The Guardian

So, of course, extra sick people began to arrive.

Independent

Those documents began to arrive at union offices Monday night.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "began to arrive", consider the context. If you need to convey a more formal tone, it is perfectly acceptable. In informal contexts, consider alternatives like "started showing up".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "began to arrive" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "started coming" or "showed up" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to arrive" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an arrival process. It describes the initial stage of people or things coming to a particular location, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began to arrive" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the start of an arrival process. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts. While alternatives like "started arriving" offer a more casual tone, "began to arrive" maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal writing. Be mindful of the context to ensure the most appropriate phrasing. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wikipedia, this phrase is a reliable choice for narrating events involving the commencement of arrivals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started arriving

Uses 'started' instead of 'began', offering a slightly more casual tone but retaining the core meaning.

commenced to arrive

Replaces 'began' with 'commenced', resulting in a more formal and less common phrasing.

initiated arrival

Focuses on the action of 'arrival' being initiated, slightly altering the emphasis from the process to the event itself.

began showing up

Substitutes 'arriving' with the phrasal verb 'showing up', creating a more informal expression.

began making an appearance

Highlights the act of 'making an appearance', emphasizing the visibility or conspicuousness of the arrival.

began to appear

Focuses on the visual aspect of becoming present. This phrase might be more appropriate when discussing abstract things or concepts.

entered the scene

Highlights the action of entering, shifting the context toward more dynamic scenarios.

were coming

Focuses on motion with a direction towards a point of destination. Implies the arrival is imminent or expected.

started turning up

More casual variant of "started arriving".

were approaching

Emphasizes proximity and motion toward a location before arrival is complete. Sets the stage for the actual arrival.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "began to arrive"?

You can use alternatives like "started arriving", "began showing up", or "commenced arriving" depending on the context.

How do I use "began to arrive" in a sentence?

Use "began to arrive" to indicate the start of a process where people or things are coming to a specific location. For example: "As the event time approached, guests began to arrive".

Which is correct, "began to arrive" or "started to arrive"?

Both "began to arrive" and "started to arrive" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired level of formality, with "began to arrive" being slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "began to arrive" and "were arriving"?

"Began to arrive" emphasizes the start of the arrival process, while "were arriving" suggests a continuous action of people coming. "Began to arrive" indicates the initial phase, whereas "were arriving" implies ongoing arrivals.