began to encounter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to encounter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the start of experiencing or facing something, often challenges or difficulties. Example: "As the project progressed, the team began to encounter unexpected technical issues that delayed their timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Then he began to encounter and interview the living canon.

The New York Times - Books

After her father's death, Ms. Dennis began to encounter difficulties.

The New York Times

Soon after this change in allegiance, he began to encounter problems.

The New York Times - Arts

The following year, like the government in general, it began to encounter insoluble problems.

The Guardian - Tech

It wasn't long, though, before this quest began to encounter difficulties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Yanukovich's backers established their own camp, and began to encounter the orange brigades on the capital's streets.

The Economist

For the first time in his life, on the campaign stump he began to encounter ordinary Americans.

Independent

When they began to encounter a number of statistical quirks, Green contacted LaCour's dissertation adviser, Lynn Vavreck.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

And video-calling may begin to encounter stiff resistance.

The Economist

But neoliberals have begun to encounter sustained opposition from fellow reformers.

The New York Times - Arts

But as the novel goes on, the characters begin to encounter one another in literal and figurative ways.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "began to encounter", ensure that the subject actively starts facing or experiencing something, rather than passively receiving it. For instance, "The team began to encounter technical difficulties" implies a proactive attempt to resolve issues.

Common error

Avoid using "began to encountered". The correct form is "began to encounter" as 'began' already indicates the past tense. Example: "The project began to encounter problems" is correct; "The project began to encountered problems" is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to encounter" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action or experience. It's commonly used to describe the initial stage of facing challenges, meeting people, or experiencing new phenomena, as demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "began to encounter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that effectively conveys the start of an experience or situation. As indicated by Ludwig, it's especially common in news and media, wiki articles, and encyclopedias. When writing, it's important to use the correct tense and to consider more precise synonyms like "started facing" or "came across" for nuanced meaning. Avoid the incorrect form "began to encountered". Remember that "began to encounter" introduces a sequence of events or the onset of specific circumstances. Ensure to actively express the events that happen after "began to encounter".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started facing

Focuses on the commencement of confronting a challenge or obstacle.

started to experience

Emphasizes the beginning of feeling or undergoing something.

began experiencing

Similar to 'started to experience' but with a slightly more formal tone.

commenced to face

A more formal and less common way of saying 'started facing'.

initiated contact with

Highlights the start of interaction or communication.

came across

Indicates encountering something unexpectedly or by chance.

started dealing with

Focuses on the commencement of managing or handling something.

met with

Implies an arranged or planned encounter.

began to see

Focuses on the commencement of a visual or intellectual realization.

found themselves facing

Emphasizes that the subject unintentionally began to deal with something.

FAQs

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

You can use "began to encounter" to describe the start of experiencing or facing something, often difficulties or challenges. For example, "As the project progressed, the team "began to encounter" unexpected technical issues".

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

Alternatives include "started facing", "began experiencing", or "came across" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "began to encountered"?

No, "began to encountered" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "began to encounter". The word "began" already indicates the past tense, so the verb "encounter" should be in its base form.

What's the difference between "began to encounter" and "encountered"?

"Began to encounter" emphasizes the starting point of the experience or confrontation, while "encountered" simply states that the event happened at some point. For example, "The team "began to encounter" resistance" suggests the initial stage of facing opposition, whereas "The team encountered resistance" simply notes that they faced opposition.