began to shift

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to shift" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a change or transition that started occurring in a particular situation or context. Example: "As the discussion progressed, the focus of the meeting began to shift towards new strategies for growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Attitudes soon began to shift.

The New York Times - Arts

After "Gimpel," the balance began to shift.

The New Yorker

In mid-March things began to shift.

The New York Times

Suddenly the centre ground began to shift.

The Guardian

But, eventually, the experience began to shift.

The New Yorker

That began to shift Thursday night.

The Washington Post

Soon after, however, the political climate began to shift.

University of Pennsylvania

For instance: "My views on contraception began to shift when...."...

The New York Times

The tenor and meaning of pink began to shift.

The New York Times - Books

But soon his research interests began to shift earthward.

The New Yorker

But attitudes began to shift after those Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began to shift" when you want to describe the initial phase of a change or transition. It's suitable when describing trends, opinions, or physical movement.

Common error

Avoid using "began to shift" excessively in passive constructions. Instead of "The blame began to be shifted," try "People began to shift the blame" for a more direct and active sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to shift" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a change or movement. Ludwig AI's examples show its use across varied contexts, from political climates to personal perspectives, consistently denoting the start of an alteration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "began to shift" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that signals the onset of a change or movement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across diverse contexts, from formal academic writing to informal news reports. Its function is to describe the initial phase of a transformation, and its neutral register makes it appropriate for various audiences. While alternatives like "started to change" and "began to change" exist, "began to shift" remains a clear and effective way to communicate the start of a change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to change

Emphasizes the commencement of a transformation or alteration.

started to move

Highlights the initiation of a physical relocation or a change in position.

started to alter

Focuses on the initial stages of modifying something.

commenced to change

A more formal way of saying something started to transform.

initiated a change

Highlights the deliberate start of an alteration.

began to transform

Indicates the start of a complete change in form or appearance.

began to evolve

Focuses on the start of a gradual development or change.

started its transition

Highlights the initial phase of a process moving from one state to another.

started taking a turn

Implies a change in direction or outcome, often unexpected.

began trending towards

Suggests a direction of change that is becoming more prominent or fashionable.

FAQs

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

Use "began to shift" to indicate the start of a change or transition. For example, "After the new policy was announced, the company culture "began to shift" towards a more collaborative environment."

What are some alternatives to "began to shift"?

Alternatives include phrases like "started to change", "began to change", or "started to move", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "started to shift" instead of "began to shift"?

Yes, "started to shift" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to ""began to shift"". Both phrases have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably in many contexts.

What's the difference between "began to shift" and "has shifted"?

"Began to shift" indicates the start of a change, while "has shifted" implies that the change is already in progress or completed. "The focus "began to shift"" suggests the change is just starting, whereas "the focus "has shifted"" suggests the change is well underway.