began to develop

USAGE SUMMARY

"began to develop" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the evolution of something, either physical or figurative. For example, "After years of research, a new vaccine for the virus began to develop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From that moment they began to develop".

The New York Times

My breasts began to develop.

The Guardian - Opinion

Industry soon began to develop.

Britannica

It began to develop its business strategy.

The Guardian - Business

Investigators began to develop their theory.

The Guardian

Other similar camps began to develop.

Britannica

Permanent settlements began to develop, including plantations.

Britannica

He also began to develop his skills as an entertainer.

The Guardian

Wallace also began to develop a taste for journalism.

The New Yorker

By the early 1980s, deceit began to develop immunity.

The Guardian

But, she says, "they suddenly began to develop one.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began to develop" to describe the initial stages of a process, idea, or physical growth. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is starting to develop.

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Instead of just saying something "began to develop", specify what aspects or areas experienced this development. For example, specify "the company began to develop new marketing strategies" rather than just "the company began to develop".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to develop" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a process of growth, evolution, or formation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples show it describing the start of physical changes, strategies, theories, and institutions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Vice

5%

Huffington Post

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "began to develop" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes the initiation of a process, growth, or formation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It’s frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, indicating a neutral to formal register. While generally clear, specifying what exactly is developing enhances understanding. Alternatives such as "started to evolve" or "commenced to grow" can add nuance, but the original phrase remains a solid choice for expressing the start of something significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to evolve

Focuses on gradual change and transformation, similar to developing but emphasizing evolution.

commenced to grow

Highlights the initiation of growth, suitable for contexts involving physical or abstract expansion.

initiated the development

Emphasizes the action of starting the development process, often used in formal contexts.

started to form

Indicates the initial stages of creation or formation, suitable for describing new entities or ideas.

began its evolution

Specifically refers to the start of an evolutionary process, highlighting gradual change over time.

saw the genesis of

Highlights the origin or beginning of something, often used in a narrative or historical context.

entered the formative stages

Focuses on the initial phases of development, particularly when something is taking shape.

set in motion the growth

Emphasizes the action that initiated growth, often used when describing a deliberate start.

witnessed the dawn of

Suggests the beginning of a new era or phase, often used in contexts with significant change.

inaugurated the expansion

Highlights the formal or official start of an expansion process, suitable for business or organizational contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "began to develop" to describe the starting point of growth, formation, or evolution. For example, "The city "began to develop" vital institutions" or "Investigators "began to develop" their theory".

What are some alternatives to "began to develop"?

Alternatives include "started to evolve", "commenced to grow", or "initiated the development", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what "began to develop"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what exactly ""began to develop"" improves clarity and provides more context for the reader.

What is the difference between "began to develop" and "started developing"?

"Began to develop" and "started developing" are largely interchangeable. However, "started developing" may imply a slightly more active or continuous process than ""began to develop"", which can emphasize the initiation point.