began to materialize

USAGE SUMMARY

'began to materialize' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean that an idea, plan, or dream started to become a reality. For example: After months of hard work, our plans for the summer festival finally began to materialize.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Gradually, a landscape began to materialize.

The New York Times

THE central problem of skiing in Spain began to materialize: How do you do it all?

The New York Times - Travel

"The 'amigo' dynamic really began to materialize after 9/11," Mr. Graham said in an interview.

The New York Times

As I've written here before, it took years of campaigning before shark sanctuaries and bans on shark fin possession began to materialize.

The New York Times

Hiring only recently began to materialize, with the economy adding 162,000 jobs in March, of which 48,000 were temporary Census-related positions.

The New York Times

Her goal of women's judo being part of the Olympics began to materialize in 1984, when it was made an exhibition sport for the Los Angeles Games.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Often the hardest time for a new business is when success begins to materialize".

The New York Times

The alternative -- outsourcing abroad or substituting foreign merchandise for domestic products -- was just beginning to materialize.

The New York Times

The full benefits of economic liberalization that began in the early '90s have only recently begun to materialize.

The New York Times

That vision did not begin to materialize until the 1990s, long after he had sold his building.

The New York Times

Now, at the end of 2008, all signs point to a future of scarcity, a bleak and blighted landscape that has already begun to materialize around us.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began to materialize" when you want to emphasize the initial stages of something becoming real or visible after a period of planning or anticipation. It adds a sense of gradual development.

Common error

Avoid using "began to materialize" in very casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "started to happen" or "started to appear" may be more appropriate and natural in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

"Began to materialize" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the start of a process where something becomes real or visible. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various contexts, from landscapes forming to political strategies taking shape.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began to materialize" is a versatile verb phrase that describes the initial stages of something becoming real or visible. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability, highlighting its application across diverse contexts like news reporting, academic writing, and business communications. While generally neutral in register, it's best reserved for situations where a sense of gradual development is intended, and simpler alternatives may be more suitable for very informal settings. Related phrases like "started to take shape" or "started to emerge" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to take shape

Focuses on the physical or structural formation of something, suggesting a more concrete development.

started to become apparent

Highlights the increasing visibility or understanding of something that was previously unclear.

commenced to form

Implies a formal or gradual process of creation or development.

started to unfold

Suggests a gradual revelation or development of events or a situation.

began to crystallize

Indicates that something is becoming more defined and clear in its structure or form.

started to emerge

Emphasizes the appearance or rise of something from obscurity or a hidden state.

began to gel

Informal phrase suggesting ideas or plans are starting to come together cohesively.

started to coalesce

Indicates the merging or uniting of different elements into a single, unified entity.

became tangible

Highlights that something abstract is becoming real, concrete and able to be touched/felt.

began to actualize

Focuses on the process of making something possible or real, often referring to goals or potential.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "commenced to form", "began to crystallize", or "started to coalesce". These options add a layer of sophistication and precision.

What's a simpler way to say "began to materialize" in casual conversation?

In casual settings, you can replace "began to materialize" with options like "started to take shape", "started to emerge", or "started to become apparent". These alternatives are more straightforward and easily understood.

Is it correct to use "began to materialize" when referring to abstract concepts?

Yes, "began to materialize" is suitable for both concrete objects and abstract concepts. For instance, you can say "a plan began to materialize" or "an idea began to materialize" to indicate the initial stages of development or realization.

How does "began to materialize" differ from "was to materialize"?

"Began to materialize" indicates the process of something starting to become real or visible. On the other hand, "was to materialize" suggests a future event that was planned or expected to happen but doesn't necessarily imply that it actually did start happening.