began working

USAGE SUMMARY

"began working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe that someone started doing a job or a task. For example: "John began working as a software engineer last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They began working together.

The New Yorker

June's mouth began working.

The New Yorker

Lowry began working more intensely on "Volcano".

The New Yorker

Franklin began working to change that.

The New York Times - Sports

He began working on an alternative.

The New York Times

In 1775 Kazakov began working independently.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Flick began working with Nicklaus in 1990.

The New York Times - Sports

Firas began working in military intelligence.

The New Yorker

He also began working with Don King.

The New York Times - Sports

Soon after, they began working together.

The New York Times - Sports

He began working twelve-hour days.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, "began working" helps establish a timeline. For example, "After graduating, he began working as a consultant."

Common error

Avoid using "began working" when you need a continuous tense. Instead of "He began working yesterday and is still working", use "He started working yesterday and has been working ever since".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began working" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action or activity, typically related to employment or labor. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began working" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate the commencement of an activity or job. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various writing contexts. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings, although it is most frequently encountered in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the tense is correct and consider alternatives like "started working" or "commenced work" for slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started working

Simple synonym, replacing 'began' with 'started' for a slightly more casual tone.

commenced work

More formal alternative, using 'commenced' instead of 'began'.

set about working

Implies a determined and focused start to work.

initiated employment

Focuses on the start of a job or employment.

became employed

Focuses on the state of being hired or employed.

took up a position

Emphasizes accepting a role or job.

embarked on a career

Highlights the beginning of a long-term professional path.

established a practice

Indicates the start of a professional or specialized activity.

launched into service

Suggests a dedicated start of service or duty.

delved into labor

More figurative and intense way of saying started working.

FAQs

How can I use "began working" in a sentence?

Use "began working" to indicate the starting point of an activity or job. For example, "The team "began working" on the new software version last week".

What are some alternatives to "began working"?

Alternatives include "started working", "commenced work", or "took up a position", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "began working" and "started working"?

While both phrases are similar, ""began working"" might imply a more formal or deliberate commencement compared to the slightly more casual ""started working"".

Can "began working" be used in all tenses?

Yes, ""began working"" can be adapted to different tenses. For example, "He had "begun working" there before the change" (past perfect) or "She will "begin working" next week" (future tense).