begging

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'begging' is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone beseeching or asking for help, money, or other favors in an especially earnest and pleading way. For example: "The homeless man was begging for spare change outside the Starbucks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Often the first thing new recruits get from party HQ is an email begging for time and money On the campaigning trail I saw a few moments of charismatic evangelism and a lot of robotic data collection.

The Guardian - Opinion

Distraught and unsure what to do, he said he drifted down to London and began sleeping in parks and on night buses and begging for £1 from passers-by to buy chips.

The Guardian

Another night, I drunk-dialed a random guy I'd met online – and with whom I'd been on one (and only one) disastrous date – inviting him over and begging him to stay the night.

The Guardian - Opinion

I know he'll ignore it, even if a million nude teachers, with high blood-pressure, were to crowd into parliament begging and screaming for smaller classes, but I'll say it again and again.

The Guardian

His departure prompted thousands of residents to plead for his return, many on their knees begging for him to finish what he began.

The Guardian

In saying "tolerable" I am begging the question; but economic history shows that a moderate amount of inflation is a necessary condition for growth.

The Guardian - Business

I shall finish this exercise by begging your views.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the subjects Tarantino finds consistently exciting are people being murdered, people screaming in pain, people begging for mercy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mamy to wait on her, a loving family, wealth, men begging to dance with her, good looks and a sixteen inch waist.

The Guardian

The headline: "Littering, swearing, camping, begging: ALICE FIGHTS BACK".

The Guardian

These minefields, and the lack of solutions, mean that by 2017 the education secretary could be on her knees, begging for mercy and being dragged from inquiry to inquiry.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "begging", consider the context and ensure that the tone matches the situation. Overuse can diminish the impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "begging" in formal or professional writing when a more neutral term like "requesting" or "asking" would be more appropriate. "Begging" implies desperation and may not be suitable for all situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "begging" is as a present participle or gerund, often functioning as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "He was begging") or as a noun (e.g., "The begging stopped"). Ludwig AI confirms its common use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begging" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, used to express a sense of urgent and desperate request. Ludwig AI validates the term's correctness and frequent appearance across diverse texts. Its usage, while generally neutral, can convey a more informal and emotive tone. As highlighted by the provided examples, the word is prevalent in news reporting, indicating circumstances of need or appeal. Consider the various alternatives, such as "imploring" or "pleading", to ensure the most appropriate tone for your context. Overall, "begging" is a commonly used and understood word, though careful attention should be paid to its connotations in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imploring

Focuses on the act of earnestly asking or pleading.

pleading

Highlights the emotional aspect of asking for something desperately.

beseeching

Emphasizes a humble and earnest request.

entreating

Suggests an attempt to persuade someone with urgency.

soliciting

Refers to requesting or seeking something from someone.

requesting earnestly

Highlights the sincere nature of the request.

asking for mercy

Specifically requests leniency or compassion.

craving

Implies a strong desire or need.

lacking

Indicates a state of needing or wanting something.

in need of

Expresses the necessity of something.

FAQs

How is "begging" used in a sentence?

"Begging" is used to describe someone who is earnestly or desperately asking for something. For example: "The stray dog was begging for food."

What can I say instead of "begging"?

Alternatives to "begging" include "imploring", "pleading", or "requesting earnestly", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "begging" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "begging" when you want to emphasize the desperation or urgency of a request. Be mindful of the tone, as it implies a lack of power or control.

What is the difference between "begging" and "asking"?

"Begging" implies a greater level of desperation and humility than simply "asking". "Asking" is a more neutral term, while "begging" suggests a more urgent need or emotional appeal.