begin the game

USAGE SUMMARY

"begin the game" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate to someone that it is time to start playing a game. For example: "Are you ready to begin the game?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scott's strategy to begin the game focused on stopping Jones.

The New York Times - Sports

The attention was on Martin to begin the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Colon attacked the Tigers with fastballs, throwing 40 in a row to begin the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Peyton Manning led the Colts on an 80-yard touchdown drive to begin the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Bradley rested several starters, opting to begin the game with a younger lineup.

The New York Times - Sports

Beckett's curveball dived and dipped, fooling Gardner to begin the game.

The New York Times - Sports

5. Once you have allocated the patrol boat, press the # sign to begin the game.

Cornell University

Any player may begin the game as the first shooter, or caster.

Britannica

For the fifth time in five games, the Nationals' leadoff man reached to begin the game.

The Washington Post

Arizona point guard Jason Gardner is the natural choice, and could begin the game on Williams.

The New York Times - Sports

Players begin the game at the edge of a universe that is said to be populated with 18.4 quintillion planets.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone on how to play a game, use "begin the game" to clearly signal the moment when active gameplay starts. For example, after explaining the rules, say, "Now, let's begin the game."

Common error

While "begin the game" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal contexts where more sophisticated alternatives like "commence the match" or "initiate the session" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin the game" functions primarily as an imperative, instructing someone to initiate a game or activity. This is validated by Ludwig, which confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

28%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin the game" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to instruct or signal the start of a game or activity. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. While highly common across various contexts, including news media and instructional guides, users should consider the formality of the situation, opting for alternatives like "commence the match" in more formal settings. The phrase is straightforward and effective in initiating gameplay, setting the stage for action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start playing

A simpler, more direct way to convey the beginning of the game.

start the match

Replaces "game" with "match", suitable when referring to competitive events.

kick off the game

Uses a more dynamic verb, "kick off", implying the start of an event.

commence the play

Replaces "begin" with "commence" for a more formal tone and "game" with "play".

time to start the game

Adds a sense of timing and readiness to the beginning of the game.

initiate gameplay

Focuses on the action of playing, using "gameplay" as a noun.

set the game in motion

Emphasizes the activation or start of the game.

let the games begin

A dramatic and emphatic way to announce the start of a game or competition.

get the ball rolling

An idiomatic expression indicating the start of an activity.

open the proceedings

More formal, suitable for structured games or events.

FAQs

How to use "begin the game" in a sentence?

You can use "begin the game" to instruct someone to start playing a game, as in "Once everyone is ready, we can begin the game".

What can I say instead of "begin the game"?

You can use alternatives like "start the game", "kick off the game", or "commence the play" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "start the game" instead of "begin the game"?

Yes, "start the game" is a perfectly acceptable and often more common alternative to "begin the game". Both phrases are widely understood and used.

What's the difference between "begin the game" and "let the games begin"?

"Begin the game" is a straightforward instruction to start a game. "Let the games begin" is a more dramatic and emphatic way to announce the start of a competition or series of games, often implying a heightened sense of excitement or challenge.