begin playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'begin playing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the start of an activity or sport, e.g. "The teams began playing at 3 o'clock".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(It will begin playing there next season).

The New York Times - Sports

The stream should begin playing through iTunes.

The New York Times

Finally, Vudu movies begin playing instantly.

The New York Times - Tech

ReprintsTwo separate dramas will now begin playing out.

The Economist

The Big East did not begin playing football until 1991.

The New York Times - Sports

In middle school, many girls begin playing sports after school.

The New York Times

High-def movies take several minutes to begin playing.

The New York Times - Tech

A team would begin playing in the 2003-4 season.

The New York Times - Sports

Terry Collins said he hoped Reyes could begin playing minor league rehabilitation games next weekend.

The New York Times - Sports

Big Ten teams will begin playing nine conference games in 2017 instead of eight.

The New York Times - Sports

When the fields are ready, sometime next spring, the Pioniers will begin playing there.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin playing" when you want to clearly state the start of a game, sport, or activity. It's a straightforward and easily understood phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "begin playing" in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives like "start playing" or "let's play" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin playing" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action or activity, typically a game, sport, or musical performance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

35%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "begin playing" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate the start of an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as instructional guides. While interchangeable with "start playing", "begin playing" may carry a slightly more formal tone. To enhance writing, consider using alternatives like "start playing" or "commence playing" for nuanced expression. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity about the activity being initiated and adjust formality based on the intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start playing

Synonymous replacement, emphasizes initiation.

commence playing

Formal alternative, suitable for more formal contexts.

initiate gameplay

More technical, often used in gaming contexts.

get started playing

Emphasizes the process of beginning.

embark on playing

Suggests a more involved or adventurous beginning.

kick off playing

Informal, implies an energetic start.

take up playing

Implies starting a new hobby or activity.

engage in playing

Focuses on active participation.

enter into playing

Suggests joining an ongoing activity.

dive into playing

Implies an enthusiastic and immersive start.

FAQs

How can I use "begin playing" in a sentence?

You can use "begin playing" to indicate the start of an activity, such as "The band will "begin playing" after the introduction" or "They will "begin playing" the game once everyone is ready".

What can I say instead of "begin playing"?

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

Is it correct to say "began playing" instead of "begin playing"?

Yes, "began playing" is the past tense form of "begin playing". For example, "They "began playing" after the rain stopped" is grammatically correct.

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

While both phrases are very similar, "begin playing" can sound slightly more formal than "start playing". In most contexts, they are interchangeable.