began to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to work" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone starting a new activity or job, such as in the sentence, "He began to work on a new project at the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And again the machines began to work.

Independent

He began to work with Ashima.

The New Yorker

Forensic investigators began to work.

The Washington Post

I also began to work on hemoglobin.

Harvard University

That's how it began to work.

University of California, Berkeley

Miraculously, their right arms began to work.

The Guardian

And soon his strategy began to work.

The New York Times

She began to work for both magazines.

The Guardian

White men began to work out).

The New York Times - Books

But Sappho began to work its magic.

The Guardian - Music

She recently began to work with Giants receiver Victor Cruz.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "began to work", ensure the subsequent action is clearly defined to provide context for the reader. For example, "He began to work on a solution".

Common error

Avoid phrases like "She began to work" without specifying what she started working on. Always clarify the task or project.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to work" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. It specifies the start of an activity or task, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, where individuals or groups initiate their engagement with various endeavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began to work" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that signifies the initiation of an action or task. As indicated by Ludwig, it maintains grammatical correctness and appears frequently across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, Formal & Business, Academia and Wiki. While alternatives like "started working" exist, "began to work" often implies a slightly more deliberate or formal commencement. Ensure clarity by specifying the task or project being undertaken to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started working

Uses a different verb tense and word choice to convey the same meaning.

commenced work

Employs a more formal and concise vocabulary.

initiated work

Similar to 'commenced', but perhaps slightly more active in tone.

undertook the task

Indicates taking on a specific job or responsibility.

launched into action

Suggests a more energetic and decisive start.

got down to business

Informal expression emphasizing the seriousness of starting work.

set about working

Describes methodically starting a task.

moved into action

Implies a transition from planning to execution.

started the job

A more straightforward and less nuanced alternative.

embarked on the work

Conveys a sense of undertaking something significant or challenging.

FAQs

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

You can use "began to work" to indicate the start of an activity or job, for instance: "The team "began to work" on the project after the meeting".

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

Alternatives include "started working", which is a more direct and commonly used phrase.

Is it better to say "began working" or "began to work"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "began working" is often considered more concise. "Began to work" can sometimes emphasize the initiation of the work process.

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

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Began to work" might suggest a slightly more formal or deliberate start than "started to work", but the difference is minimal.