began to scribble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to scribble" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of starting to write or draw quickly and carelessly, often in a spontaneous or informal manner. Example: "As soon as the idea struck her, she began to scribble her thoughts in her notebook."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I began to scribble.

The New Yorker

As a reporter began to scribble down the details, he laughed.

The New York Times

Flipping to the puzzle, he punched a stopwatch, cast his large, liquid eyes over the clues, and began to scribble.

The New Yorker

I began to scribble some words hither and thither, and realized that the concept of interlocking words was just marvelous!

The New York Times

Then, as Palmer sang a song inspired by her years performing as an eight-foot bride in Harvard Square, he dug into his jacket pocket, extracted a small notebook, and began to scribble.

The New Yorker

But as soon as I began to scribble down what I think of as the great, quintessentially English films, what I found was that almost all were either set in London or had at least one narrative foot in the capital.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He begins to scribble more furiously.

The New York Times - Arts

He pulls out a sheet of yellow-lined paper and begins to scribble.

The Guardian

"Why would people do that to themselves?" He begins to scribble more furiously.

The Guardian

He pulls out a sheet of yellow-lined legal paper and begins to scribble.

The New York Times - Arts

I had begun to scribble emojis in pencil, like 👀 and 😠.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began to scribble" to depict the initial, often hurried, stages of writing or drawing when the focus is on capturing thoughts quickly rather than neatness or precision.

Common error

Avoid using "began to scribble" when the context requires a depiction of deliberate, careful writing or drawing. It implies haste and informality, so choose a more appropriate verb if precision is key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to scribble" functions as a verb phrase indicating the start of an action. It depicts the initiation of writing or drawing in a hurried or informal manner. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to illustrate spontaneous expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began to scribble" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase used to illustrate the commencement of rapid, informal writing or drawing. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for diverse forms of communication. While grammatically sound, it is important to remember to choose a more suitable word depending on the setting of writing or drawing is deliberate or not. This article presented common errors to prevent, and usage tips to help you use the phrase in the best way possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started scribbling

Replaces "began to" with "started", emphasizing the commencement of the action.

began scrawling

Omission of the "to", creating a more concise phrasing of the same action, with a slightly informal tone.

began to jot down

Replaces "scribble" with "jot down", suggesting brief notes rather than elaborate writing.

commenced to scrawl

Uses a more formal verb, "commenced", and "scrawl" to imply illegible writing.

started to sketch

Similar to "started scribbling" but replaces "scribble" with "sketch", indicating a slightly more intentional drawing.

initiated sketching

Replaces "scribble" with "sketching", suggesting a more deliberate form of drawing.

commenced sketching

Combines the formality of "commenced" with the more artistic implication of "sketching".

set about doodling

Implies a more casual and aimless start to drawing.

started to doodle

Use of doodle as opposed to scribble gives off a more care free attitude while keeping the core meaning

launched into writing

Shifts focus to the act of writing quickly and spontaneously.

FAQs

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

You can use "began to scribble" to describe the act of starting to write or draw something quickly and often carelessly. For example, "As the speaker presented his ideas, she "began to scribble" notes furiously."

What are some alternatives to "began to scribble"?

You can use alternatives like "started scribbling", "began to jot down", or "commenced to scrawl" depending on the context and desired formality.

Is "began to scribble" formal or informal?

"Began to scribble" leans towards the informal side, implying quick and casual writing. More formal alternatives include "commenced writing" or "initiated notes".

What's the difference between "began to scribble" and "started writing"?

While both indicate the start of writing, ""began to scribble"" suggests a faster, less organized approach. "Started writing" is more neutral and doesn't imply the speed or neatness of the writing.