began to experience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to experience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the onset of a particular feeling, event, or situation that someone is starting to go through. Example: "After moving to the city, she began to experience a sense of loneliness that she had never felt before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Sept. 3, he began to experience nausea and vomiting.

The New York Times

Suddenly Edith began to experience strong painful contractions.

The Guardian

Carlisle began to experience insomnia, headaches, depression, and weight loss.

Cornell University

Handel now began to experience trouble with his sight.

Britannica

And then Faysal began to experience severe heart problems.

The Guardian - Opinion

He finished that game and began to experience concussion symptoms the next day.

The New York Times - Sports

A composer, he hadn't even turned 60 when he began to experience significant memory loss.

The New York Times

The port assumed a new strategic importance and began to experience commercial prosperity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the 1980s, however, cable television began to experience unprecedented growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shortly thereafter, America began to experience financial crises for the first time since the Great Depression.

The Economist

In early 2009, however, several of E-Clear's customers began to experience delays stretching into weeks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about health or medical topics, "began to experience" is useful for detailing the emergence of symptoms or side effects.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice when using "began to experience". Instead of "Symptoms began to be experienced", opt for "The patient began to experience symptoms" for a more direct and engaging sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to experience" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement or start of a particular sensation, feeling, or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe the initiation of a process or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began to experience" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the onset of a sensation, feeling, or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is frequently found across diverse contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic writing. While it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication, writers should avoid overusing passive voice constructions in conjunction with this phrase. By considering the alternatives and best practices, you can effectively integrate "began to experience" into your writing to convey the initiation of a process or state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to feel

This alternative is more general and focuses on the feeling aspect of an experience.

started to have

A simpler and more direct way to express the beginning of an experience or symptom.

began to undergo

This is more formal and focuses on the process of undergoing an experience.

developed

This term is concise and common when describing the onset of symptoms or conditions.

commenced to undergo

This option is more formal and emphasizes the process of undergoing an experience.

noticed the onset of

This focuses on the recognition of the beginning of something.

initiated to notice

This focuses on the initial awareness or noticing of something.

entered a phase of

This suggests a transition into a new period or state of experiencing something.

came to be affected by

This emphasizes the impact or effect of the experience.

found themselves facing

This implies a challenging or unexpected experience.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "began to experience" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "commenced to undergo", "initiated to notice", or "came to be affected by" depending on the specific context.

What's a simpler way to say "began to experience"?

You can use simpler alternatives like "started to feel", "started to have", or simply "developed", depending on the intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "began to experience" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to describe the initial phase or onset of a feeling, sensation, event, or situation. It's particularly useful in medical contexts or when detailing a sequence of events.

Is "began experiencing" grammatically correct instead of "began to experience"?

While "began experiencing" is also grammatically correct and commonly used, "began to experience" is often preferred when a more deliberate or descriptive tone is desired. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.