begin to envisage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin to envisage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the act of starting to imagine or visualize something in the future. Example: "As we discussed the project, I began to envisage the final outcome and how it would impact our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Now he says that he cannot begin to envisage himself in that profession.

Independent

Although there are no equivalent data dealing with postsynaptically-generated NO, we can begin to envisage what happens.

European Journal of Neuroscience

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

How small is he, I wonder, beginning to envisage a munchkin, a garden gnome, a Borrower..

The Guardian - Music

Looking at the show, I began to envisage Penn as a quiet American cousin of the Catherine Deneuve character in "Belle de Jour".

The New Yorker

The idea of a universal library, like that of Alexandria, arose only after the Greek mind had begun to envisage and encompass a larger worldview.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At her book launch she explained that she had begun to envisage her work not as poems so much as "sound carvings".

The Guardian - Books

Anna, having apparently begun to envisage herself as the heroine of this book, becomes the involuntary conduit of another story, that of Spanish-French writer Lucien Segura, with whom she becomes obsessed.

The Guardian - Books

Sailing into New York Harbor a few years after the dinner, on his first visit to the United States, Bartholdi felt certain that the perfect spot for the monument he had begun to envisage was "here where people get their first view of the New World".

The New York Times - Books

Doing so would mean abandoning our whole system of knowledge, and replacing it with an alternative which we have not even begun to envisage.

SEP

Through working on the site in this capacity, Pietromarchi realised its potential, largely down to the untouched, left-to-ruin gardens along with collaborators he began to envisage Terraforma, a festival that was "site-specific," that would interact with and positively improve its environment.

Vice

Through working on the site in this capacity, Pietromarchi realized its potential, largely down to the untouched, left-to-ruin gardens along with collaborators he began to envisage Terraforma, a festival that was "site-specific," that would interact with and positively improve its environment.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to envisage" when you want to express the initial phase of forming a mental picture or plan, particularly when the process is gradual or unfolding.

Common error

While "envisage" is a valid word, it leans towards formality. Avoid overuse in casual conversation or informal writing; consider using "imagine" or "picture" as alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to envisage" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase. It indicates the commencement of the action of 'envisaging', which is to form a mental picture or idea about something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "begin to envisage" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase indicating the initial stage of forming a mental picture or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Although not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While "envisage" leans towards formality, pairing it with "begin to" creates a neutral tone. Alternatives include "start to imagine" or "begin to visualize". When using "begin to envisage", consider whether it aligns with the formality level of your writing and avoid overuse in very informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start to imagine

Focuses on the initial act of imagining, similar to envisaging, but with a less formal tone.

begin to visualize

Emphasizes creating a mental picture, akin to envisaging, but highlights the visual aspect.

start conceiving of

Highlights the initial formulation of an idea, slightly broader than envisaging.

begin to contemplate

Focuses on thoughtful consideration, which can lead to envisaging, but with a stronger emphasis on thinking.

start to foresee

Suggests anticipating future events, a specific type of envisaging focused on prediction.

begin to picture

Similar to visualizing, but may imply a less detailed or complete mental image.

start to project

Emphasizes planning or forecasting, a practical aspect of envisaging.

begin to foresee

Focuses specifically on anticipating future possibilities or outcomes.

develop an initial vision

Focuses on the creation of a vision, suggesting a more structured or planned envisaging.

start forming a mental image

Emphasizes the process of creating a mental representation, highlighting the image-based aspect of envisaging.

FAQs

How can I use "begin to envisage" in a sentence?

You can use "begin to envisage" to describe the starting point of forming a mental image or plan. For example, "As we discussed the project, I "began to envisage" the final outcome."

What are some alternatives to "begin to envisage"?

Alternatives include "start to imagine", "begin to visualize", or "start conceiving of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "begin to envisage" or "start to envisage"?

Both "begin to envisage" and "start to envisage" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Begin" might imply a more formal or deliberate initiation.

What does "begin to envisage" imply about the process of imagining something?

"Begin to envisage" suggests that the process of imagining or planning is in its early stages, implying it may evolve or become clearer over time. It focuses on the initiation of a mental picture or plan.