begin a career

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin a career" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the start of someone's professional journey or employment in a specific field. Example: "After completing her degree, she was eager to begin a career in marketing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Prost finished college a year later and returned to St . Louisto begin a career in telecommunications.

The New York Times

Yet competitions can help begin a career.

The New York Times

For newcomers, it's the best way to begin a career.

The New York Times

He went to Moscow in 1923 to begin a career as a professional writer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Mevlana hoped to begin a career as an electric violinist.

The New York Times - Health

Vasiliki, a May graduate, is excited to begin a career in journalism.

The New York Times

She came to the United States to begin a career in the film business.

The New York Times - Books

Barring a shot at professional baseball, Hernandez will begin a career in finance in Dallas.

Princeton University

After college, Francesca hopes to either attend graduate school or begin a career in sustainability consulting.

Columbia University

A singing career He may want to follow in Victoria's footsteps and begin a career in pop music.

Independent

In 1859 Homer moved from Boston to New York City to begin a career as a freelance illustrator.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing someone's entry into a profession, consider the context. Use "begin a career" for general statements, but opt for more descriptive alternatives like "launch a career" to emphasize ambition or "embark on a career" to highlight the sense of adventure.

Common error

Avoid using ""begin a career"" when describing career changes or advancements. It's best suited for initial entry into a field, not for describing transitions within a career.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin a career" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of professional activities in a specific field. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin a career" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the start of someone's professional life. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, as evidenced by numerous examples from reputable sources. While versatile, consider the context and audience when choosing alternatives like "launch a career" or "embark on a career" to add specific nuances. Be mindful that this phrase is best suited to describe the initial entry into a profession, not for career changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start a career

This is a direct synonym, replacing "begin" with "start" for a slightly more informal tone.

launch a career

This alternative suggests a more proactive and impactful start to a career.

embark on a career

This phrase adds a sense of adventure and commitment to the career start.

commence a career

Using "commence" provides a more formal and official tone to beginning a career.

begin one's professional life

This alternative emphasizes the entire scope of a professional journey.

initiate a career

Similar to "commence", this suggests a deliberate and planned start.

take up a career

This highlights the act of choosing and adopting a specific career path.

enter into a career

This suggests a transition into a new phase of life centered around a career.

start out in a career

Focuses on the initial steps and early stages of a career.

make a start in a career

Emphasizes the initial effort and action taken to get a career going.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "begin a career"?

You can use alternatives such as "start a career", "launch a career", or "embark on a career" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "begin a career" formal or informal?

"Begin a career" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "commence a career" may be preferred in certain professional settings.

Can I use "begin a career" to describe a career change?

While grammatically correct, "begin a career" is best used when referring to someone's initial entry into a profession. For career changes, consider using phrases like "transition to a career in" or "start a new career".

How can I make "begin a career" more impactful in my writing?

To make the phrase more impactful, consider adding descriptive details about the career itself or the person starting it. For example, "begin a career in environmental conservation" or "begin a promising career".