begin timing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin timing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to start measuring the duration of an event or activity. Example: "As soon as the race starts, you should begin timing the runners to record their finish times."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Bring the water to a rolling boil and begin timing the processing.

WikiHow

Begin timing the blanching process as soon as you add the peppers to the water.

WikiHow

If the boiling is interrupted, you must begin timing from the beginning.

WikiHow

Once the water has come to a boil again, begin timing the cooking of the lobsters.

WikiHow

Begin timing the cooker at this point as per the recipe you are following.

WikiHow

If you have a digital or analog watch, begin timing as soon as you see the lightning and stop as soon as you hear the thunder.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Strahan and the defense began timing their pass rush on this maneuver, especially linebacker Mike Barrow, who sacked Culpepper in the second quarter on third-and-14.

The New York Times - Sports

After the dispute catch however, Bradman began timing the ball and went on to score 187.

Wikipedia

When the experimenter re-entered the room, she pulled back the apparatus, removed any rewards from the apparatus, switched the sides of the rope handles (so that the other chimpanzee could now pull) and began timing the next trial.

Animal Cognition

Once it begins to steam, start timing it.

WikiHow

When you're ready, start timing yourself and begin reading the text at your normal reading speed.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to use "begin timing", be precise about the event that triggers the start of the timing process. For example, "Begin timing when the light turns green."

Common error

Avoid using "begin timing" when you mean to provide an estimate of how long something will take. "Begin timing" refers to the act of starting a measurement, not a prediction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin timing" functions as an imperative verb phrase, used to instruct or direct someone to start measuring time. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts such as cooking, preserving food, and scientific experiments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

20%

Science

40%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin timing" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase employed to instruct or signal the commencement of a time measurement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in how-to guides, news reporting, and scientific contexts, but is less prevalent in highly formal or business-oriented writing. While "start timing" is a more common and direct alternative, "begin timing" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various situations. Remember to specify the exact triggering event for clarity, and avoid using it when simply estimating time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start timing

A more concise alternative using "start" instead of "begin".

start the timer

Replaces "begin" with "start" for a slightly more direct and common phrasing.

commence timing

Uses "commence" instead of "begin", increasing the formality of the phrase.

initiate the timing

Substitutes "begin" with "initiate" and adds "the" for clarity.

set the timer

Focuses on the action of setting a timer in preparation for timing.

start measuring the time

More explicit alternative that describes the action of measuring time instead of just "timing".

mark the start time

Shifts the focus to marking the initial moment of the timing.

time from the beginning

Emphasizes that the timing starts right from the very beginning of a process.

clock the start

A more informal way to say "begin timing", focusing on recording the start.

get the timing underway

Emphasizes getting the timing process started, with a slightly more idiomatic tone.

FAQs

What is the difference between "begin timing" and "start timing"?

Both phrases are largely interchangeable. "Begin timing" might sound slightly more formal than "start timing", but in most contexts, either phrase is suitable.

When should I use "begin timing" in a sentence?

Use "begin timing" when you want to instruct someone to start measuring the duration of an event or process, especially when precision is important.

What can I say instead of "begin timing"?

You can use alternatives like "start the timer", "commence timing", or "initiate the timing", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "begin timing" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "begin timing" is appropriate for formal writing, although phrases like "commence timing" or "initiate the timing" may be preferred for a more elevated tone.