begin

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "begin" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the start of a process or an event. Example: We began our journey at dawn.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have no ideas and I'm not sure where to begin".

The Guardian

But where to begin?

The New York Times - Sports

And as we meet here, we again declare that the regime of Bashar al-Assad must come to an end so that the suffering of the Syrian people can stop and a new dawn can begin.

The New York Times

When does life begin?

The Economist

Members of a well-known London football dynasty that also numbers Les, Dennis, Bradley and Clive among its members, the pair will conduct the draw at approximately 2pm, with five different third-round matches either ongoing or still to begin.

The Guardian - Sport

The answer is not for "formal" education to begin earlier, but the evidence in favour of state funding for play-based, nursery settings from the age of two – followed by a gentle transition into school life – is clear.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ground can only hold 11,700 people and it was widely expected work would begin to meet the need for rising ticket demand soon after their first promotion to the top flight.

The Guardian - Sport

It could also begin the change to a new, cleaner politics that focuses on social justice, civil liberties and the will to do what's needed to stop dangerous climate change.

The Guardian

In Britain, it looks set to begin a conversation which has been long overdue, addressing directly the question of what the surveillance agencies can and can't do.

The Guardian - Tech

"You begin to question what could be more important to the president than the lives of these students," said Allen Manasseh, whose 18-year-old sister Maryamu Wavi was abducted from the Chibok government girls secondary school.

The Guardian

Even if we can hardly begin to understand why.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "begin", consider the level of formality required by the context. "Commence" is more formal, while "start" is generally appropriate for most situations.

Common error

Avoid using "begin" in contexts where "start" would suffice. Overusing "begin" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "begin" is as a verb, indicating the commencement or initiation of an action, event, or state. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "begin" is a versatile verb used to denote the start of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, ranging from formal news reports to informal conversations, make it a reliable choice for writers. While often interchangeable with "start", "begin" may sometimes carry a slightly more formal tone. To ensure clarity and appropriateness, consider the context and desired level of formality when choosing between "begin" and its synonyms. The examples provided by Ludwig highlight the breadth of its application, reinforcing its status as a fundamental element of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start

The most direct and common synonym for "begin", suitable for almost any context.

commence

A more formal synonym for "begin", often used in official or ceremonial contexts.

initiate

Implies taking the first step in a process or project, often suggesting leadership or proactivity.

embark on

Suggests starting a journey or endeavor, often one that is significant or challenging.

get underway

Suggests that something is now in progress or has started smoothly.

launch

Implies a formal or public start, often used for products, projects, or campaigns.

set about

Implies a deliberate and methodical approach to starting something.

kick off

An informal way to say "begin", often used in sports or project management contexts.

originate

Focuses on the initial point or source from which something starts or develops.

inaugurate

Often refers to the formal beginning of a term, project or system with an official ceremony.

FAQs

How to use "begin" in a sentence?

"Begin" is typically used as a verb to indicate the start of an action, process, or state. For example, "The meeting will "start" at 9 AM," or "Let's "initiate" the project now."

What can I say instead of "begin"?

You can use alternatives like ""start"", "commence", or ""initiate"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "begin to do" or "begin doing"?

Both "begin to do" and "begin doing" are generally correct and often interchangeable. "Begin to do" might emphasize the intention or start of an action, while "begin doing" might emphasize the ongoing nature of the action.

What's the difference between "begin" and "start"?

While "begin" and ""start"" are often used interchangeably, "begin" can sometimes imply a more formal or ceremonious commencement, while "start" is more general and widely applicable.