began to be defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to be defined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of something starting to take shape or be clarified over time. Example: "The concept of digital privacy began to be defined in the early 2000s as technology advanced."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

At the beginning of the 20th century, Groneman writes, "oversexed" middle-class women began to be defined as frigid, while some immigrants with the same condition were labeled "feeble-minded" and then deported because lust led to "delinquency".

The New York Times - Books

In prehistoric terms, "engaging with someone outside your tribe could prove fatal," and over time, differences began to be defined not just by race, language or gender but also by social class, education, religion, and more," Swart says.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As the war began to be defined along racial terms most white settlers in the region did not notice the distinction.

Wikipedia

The therapy started to be standardized and clear indications began to be defined.

Critical Care

Matters were discussed according to an agenda that began to be defined when the practice meeting was scheduled.

BMC Family Practice

The presentations start, appropriately, with a historical overview of SLE from its first reference during the 1100s, through the neoclassic period of the 1800s when it began to be defined, and into the modern era that began with the laboratory discovery of SLE cells.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This is beginning to be defined in terms of the education reforms that have been put in place across the country in recent years.

The New York Times

They are a shell of their former selves — all the beauty and brilliance begins to be defined by addiction.

TechCrunch

While the nature of interactive TV is just beginning to be defined, there are already companies working to establish products for both broadcasters and end users, which they hope will lead to dominant market share and big profits.

Forbes

I would hate to be the one to decide where differences in genetics should begin to be defined as "wrong".

Huffington Post

Although the total number of microRNAs remains controversial [4], [10], [11] and the roles of specific microRNAs are only beginning to be defined, microRNA expression analyses indicate that diverse tumors display microRNA expression profiles (for mature and/or precursor microRNAs) significantly different from normal tissue [12], [13].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "began to be defined", ensure the context clearly indicates what is undergoing the process of definition and what factors are contributing to this process. Clarity helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "began to be defined" without specifying what is being defined or the factors influencing the definition. Omitting this information leaves the reader without a clear understanding of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to be defined" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a defining process. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began to be defined" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the initial stages of a definition process. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for discussing the development or clarification of concepts over time. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent use in scientific, academic, and news contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context about what is being defined to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "started to be defined" and "came to be defined", offering slight variations in emphasis. Overall, "began to be defined" is a useful tool for illustrating the evolving nature of definitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to be defined

Replaces "began" with "started", indicating a similar point of commencement in the defining process.

commenced to be defined

Substitutes "began" with "commenced", offering a slightly more formal tone to denote the initiation of the defining process.

came to be defined

Shifts the focus to the result of the process, emphasizing the state of being defined rather than the start.

was starting to be defined

Adds a continuous aspect to the verb "start", highlighting the ongoing nature of the definition process.

initiated its definition

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the start of the definition itself, rather than the object being defined.

took shape

Uses a more metaphorical expression to describe the process of becoming defined, implying the gradual formation of a concept.

emerged as a definition

Focuses on the emergence of a definition, emphasizing its gradual appearance.

developed a definition

Highlights the development aspect of forming a definition, focusing on its evolution.

entered the definition phase

Describes the transition into a stage of defining, emphasizing the beginning of this specific stage.

the definition process began

Reorders the sentence to emphasize the process of definition itself, rather than the object being defined.

FAQs

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

You can use "began to be defined" to describe the initial stages of a concept or term becoming clear and established. For example, "The term 'artificial intelligence' "began to be defined" in the mid-20th century as computer science advanced".

What are some alternatives to "began to be defined"?

Alternatives include "started to be defined", "came to be defined", or "was starting to be defined". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "began to be defined" and "was defined"?

"Began to be defined" suggests an ongoing process of clarification, whereas "was defined" implies a completed action. The former is used when something is still evolving, while the latter is used when a definition is finalized.

When is it appropriate to use "began to be defined" in academic writing?

It is appropriate when tracing the historical development of a concept, theory, or term. It highlights the initial stages of its understanding and formalization within a particular field.