began to use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to use" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the start of an action or habit in the past. Example: "After much consideration, she began to use a new approach to her studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He began to use drugs.

The New York Times

Generals began to use the dictatorship unconstitutionally to achieve domination.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He began to use that language even more often.

The New Yorker

Zagster provided the bicycles, and residents began to use them.

The New York Times

In 1528 he began to use italic type.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What would happen if we began to use it casually?

The New Yorker

But he began to use his looks differently.

The Guardian - Film

Then the Steelers began to use the no-huddle offense.

The New York Times - Sports

Whether by design or by accident, Levin began to use Turner for his own purposes.

The New Yorker

The fledgling sculptor began to use iconographic and mythological elements to communicate in her new medium.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shulgin promoted MDMA among psychologists, who began to use it as an aid to psychotherapy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "began to use", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject who initiated the action and the object being used. For example, "The company began to use AI for marketing purposes."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when using "began to use". Ensure the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent past tense. For example, avoid mixing with present tense: "He began to use the software, and now he finds it helpful" should be "He began to use the software, and he found it helpful."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to use" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. It signifies the point at which someone or something initiated the employment of a particular method, tool, or substance. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where various subjects start utilizing different objects or strategies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

28%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began to use" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that indicates the start of employing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across various contexts. While direct synonyms like "started using" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality. Be mindful of maintaining consistent tense and choosing the right alternative to best reflect the nuances of the intended meaning. With a high expert rating and presence in authoritative sources, "began to use" remains a reliable and effective choice for expressing the commencement of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started utilizing

This phrase is a direct synonym, replacing "began" with "started" and "use" with the more formal "utilizing".

commenced using

This phrase is more formal, substituting "began" with "commenced".

initiated the use of

This phrase is a more elaborate way of saying "began to use", emphasizing the act of initiation.

adopted the practice of using

This alternative highlights the adoption of a regular practice.

turned to using

This suggests a shift or change in approach towards using something.

resorted to using

This implies using something as a last option or when facing difficulties.

employed

A concise and formal substitute for "began to use".

started to apply

Replaces "use" with "apply", suitable when the context involves applying a method or technique.

embraced the use of

Indicates a willing acceptance and start of using something.

experimented with

Suggests a trial period of using something new.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "commenced using", "initiated the use of", or "employed" depending on the specific context.

What's a more casual way to say "began to use"?

In informal settings, you can use alternatives such as "started using" or "turned to using".

Is there a difference between "began to use" and "started to use"?

The phrases "began to use" and "started using" are largely interchangeable, with "began" having a slightly more formal connotation than "started".

When might "resorted to using" be a better choice than "began to use"?

"Resorted to using" implies that the action was taken as a last resort or due to a difficult situation. Use it when you want to convey that the use of something was not the first or preferred option, unlike "began to use" which is neutral.