began to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to be" is correct and usable in written English, and it is usually used to describe something that started at a certain point.
Example: The company began to be successful after they launched their new product line.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Manshu began to be religious.

The New Yorker

I began to be scared.

The New Yorker

And I began to be: Wow.

The New York Times

But documents began to be discovered.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The speeches began to be noticed.

The New Yorker

He began to be published at 14.

The New Yorker

"Carjacking began to be an issue.

The New York Times

Its business began to be disrupted.

The New York Times

Slowly that idea began to be challenged.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dwellings began to be more permanent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Smells began to be unpleasant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began to be" to describe the initial phase of a change or development. It emphasizes the starting point of a process rather than the completed state.

Common error

Avoid using "began to be" when a simple verb like "became" or "started" is more concise and effective. For example, instead of "The sky began to be dark", consider "The sky became dark".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to be" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating the commencement or initial stage of a transformation or development. As Ludwig AI highlights, it denotes something in the process of starting. Many of the examples show situations where something is in progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "began to be" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe the commencement of a change or development. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While it is "very common", as indicated by the high number of examples, careful consideration should be given to avoid redundancy when simpler alternatives like "became" are more suitable. The phrase finds frequent use in news, encyclopedias and science, where the emphasis on process and transformation is often paramount. When writing, remember that the key is to describe something that started at a certain point in time, avoiding to be too verbose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to be

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing "began" with "started" for a slightly less formal tone.

became

This alternative is the most concise, dropping "began to" to directly state the resulting condition.

came to be

Indicates a process resulting in a specific state or condition, offering a more concise alternative.

started being

Shifts the emphasis slightly by using the gerund form "being" instead of the infinitive.

commenced to be

Replaces "began" with "commenced", resulting in a more formal and somewhat archaic tone.

grew to be

Suggests a gradual increase or development into a particular state, emphasizing growth.

initiated to be

Emphasizes the start or introduction of something, replacing "began" with "initiated".

originated to be

Focuses on the point of origin or creation, rather than just the commencement of a state.

evolved to be

Highlights a gradual process of development, suggesting a transformation over time.

came into existence as

This is a more verbose alternative that highlights the creation or emergence of something.

FAQs

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

"Began to be" is used to indicate the starting point of a process or state change. For example, "The project "began to be" successful after the new marketing strategy was implemented".

What are some alternatives to "began to be"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "started to be", "came to be", or simply "became".

Is "began to be" grammatically correct?

Yes, "began to be" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard English grammar rules for verb conjugation and infinitive usage.

What's the difference between "began to be" and "became"?

"Began to be" emphasizes the initial phase of a change, while "became" simply describes the resulting state. "The music "began to be" popular" suggests a gradual increase in popularity. "The music "became" popular" implies a more immediate change.