began to exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to exist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the moment something came into being or started to be present. Example: "The universe began to exist approximately 13.8 billion years ago during the Big Bang."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But I began to search for it, and it began to exist".

The New York Times - Science

People seem to think, she says, "that I only began to exist in 1971.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Around the time that Steam began to exist," Coomer explained, "we began working in a much different way with a different relationship with our customers.

The Washington Post

The novel form, according to some late 20th-century critics, has no one origin but began to exist in different countries at different times and for different reasons.

Britannica

As America switched from a country that made things to one that bought them, so much of business began to exist in the abstract, with deeds exchanged and stocks sold.

The New York Times

She began to exist for other people, and if ever asked a question to which she did not know the answer she was wont to fold her arms across her body and look upward.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Beck also places particular emphasis on the fact that Hume discusses the first principle solely in the Treatise, Book 1, part 3, section 3 as the "general maxim in philosophy, that whatever begins to exist, must have a cause of existence" (T 1.3.3.1; SBN 78).

SEP

When did I begin to exist on the personality theory?

Yale University

But here it is as it's beginning to exist.

The New York Times

Style is not something extraneous to an artwork, but part of its essence: "A work of art only begins to exist from the moment that style appears".

The New York Times - Books

However rudimentary or small, we've decided that if we begin to talk about an emerging theatre scene in the city, one will begin to exist that benefits both artists and audiences.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical developments or the emergence of new concepts, use "began to exist" to emphasize the initial phase of their presence or influence.

Common error

Avoid using "began to exist" excessively in descriptive narratives. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "emerged", "originated", or "came into being" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to exist" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of existence. It describes the initial stage when something starts to be present or come into being. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "began to exist" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that denotes the commencement or initial phase of something's existence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. Although it's not overwhelmingly common, appearing more frequently in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, it serves a vital role in describing origins and the emergence of new entities or ideas. When using this phrase, consider varying your language with synonyms such as "came into being" or "emerged" to maintain engagement and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came into being

Focuses on the act of creation or origination, emphasizing the transition from non-existence to existence.

started to exist

Highlights the initiation of existence, implying a process or a point of commencement.

originated

Emphasizes the point of origin or the source from which something arises.

arose

Suggests emergence or appearance, often in a more sudden or unexpected manner.

was created

Focuses on the act of creation, implying an external force or agent responsible for bringing something into existence.

took shape

Implies the gradual formation or development of something from an initial state.

sprang into existence

Conveys a sense of suddenness or immediacy in the appearance of something.

emerged

Highlights the act of coming forth or becoming visible after being hidden or unknown.

commenced to be

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing the beginning of existence.

dawned

Implies the beginning of understanding or realization, as if something is coming into light.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to using "began to exist"?

You can use alternatives like "came into being", "started to exist", or "originated" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "began to exist"?

Yes, "began to exist" is grammatically correct and commonly used in various forms of writing.

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

You can use "began to exist" to describe the moment something came into being or started to be present. For example, "The universe "began to exist" approximately 13.8 billion years ago."

What's the difference between "began to exist" and "came into existence"?

While both phrases are similar, "came into existence" often implies a more formal or complete act of creation, whereas ""began to exist"" can suggest the initial stage of that creation.