begin cycling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin cycling" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of starting to ride a bicycle. Example: "I decided to begin cycling to improve my fitness." Alternative expressions include "start cycling" and "commence cycling."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Finally, do make sure your bike is safe before you begin cycling.

The Guardian

The Rangers were unable to consistently recover their shoot-ins to begin cycling the puck to break down Boston's defense and find openings for quality scoring chances.

The New York Times - Sports

In somewhere as bike-friendly as Utrecht, once people begin cycling they tend to remain on two wheels, Kluit says: "In a liveable city, you meet each other and connect to your surroundings, you smell the grass and you feel the wind in your hair.

The Guardian

Before you begin cycling, check your tap water parameters.

WikiHow

The stationary bicycle in this study was designed for rehabilitation and allows the subject to begin cycling with minimal resistance (Biodex Lower Body Cycle, Biodex Medical Systems , Inc Shirley, New York) (Fig. 1).

BMC Pediatrics

Begin cycling conditions of 94°C for 3 minutes.

Biological Procedures Online

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

At 11, he began cycling for his school team.

The New York Times - Sports

Arnold Schwarzenegger began cycling down the streets of Edinburgh the wrong way on Thursday.

Independent

Brought up in Dulwich, she began cycling during the Second World War.

The Telegraph

The whole journey has happened very quickly for me, as I only began cycling at 14.

The Guardian - Sport

I began cycling in 2005 when ear infections kept me out of the water for a long period of time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "begin cycling", consider the context and audience. "Start cycling" is generally more versatile, while "commence cycling" suits formal situations. Ensure your choice aligns with the tone of your writing.

Common error

While "begin cycling" is grammatically sound, overusing formal alternatives like "commence cycling" in informal contexts can make your writing sound unnatural. Opt for simpler options like "start cycling" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin cycling" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of the activity of cycling. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's typically used to describe the initial action of starting to ride a bicycle.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin cycling" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of starting to ride a bicycle. Ludwig confirms its usability. While acceptable in various contexts, it is slightly more formal than alternatives like "start cycling". Use it when a touch of formality is desired, particularly in news or scientific writing. Be mindful of overusing formal language in informal situations. As indicated in the usage patterns, the phrase appears in news, media and scientific contexts. The phrase can be substituted with options such as "take up cycling" or "get into cycling" to add nuance to the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start cycling

A more common and straightforward alternative to "begin cycling".

start to cycle

A slightly more verbose but grammatically equivalent option.

commence cycling

A more formal alternative, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

get started with cycling

Emphasizes the initial phase and learning process of cycling.

take up cycling

Emphasizes the adoption of cycling as a new hobby or activity.

get into cycling

Suggests a growing interest and involvement in cycling.

initiate cycling

A less common, more technical way to describe starting cycling.

embark on cycling

Implies a more significant undertaking or journey related to cycling.

launch into cycling

A more emphatic way to describe starting cycling with enthusiasm.

kick off cycling

An informal way to indicate starting cycling, often in a specific event or context.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "begin cycling"?

A more common and simpler alternative is "start cycling". It is suitable for most contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "begin cycling"?

"Begin cycling" is appropriate in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the initial action of starting to cycle. However, in most cases, "start cycling" is perfectly acceptable and more widely used.

Is "begin cycling" more formal than "start cycling"?

Yes, "begin cycling" is generally considered more formal than "start cycling". The choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What are some other ways to express starting cycling as a hobby?

You could say "take up cycling" or "get into cycling" to emphasize the adoption of cycling as a new hobby. These options add a nuance of developing an interest in the activity.