begin to look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin to look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the start of a process of observation or perception. Example: "As the sun began to set, the sky started to begin to look more vibrant with shades of orange and pink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You begin to look.

The New York Times

You begin to look around and watch.

The New York Times

"Otherwise it will begin to look ridiculous".

The New York Times

Any longer and people begin to look bored and stiff.

The New York Times

The financial scandals could begin to look still uglier.

The Economist

How quickly did the Jets begin to look ahead?

The New York Times - Sports

"When miniskirts begin to look tacky, I guess," he added.

The New York Times - Style

And we also can begin to look to other funds".

The New York Times

The status quo will begin to look very shaky.

The Guardian

Begin to look like a genuine future challenger for power.

The Guardian

We could begin to look at them in more detail".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to look" when you want to emphasize the initial phase of observing or investigating something. It suggests a process is starting rather than being fully underway.

Common error

Avoid using "begin to look" excessively in your writing. While grammatically sound, overuse can make your text sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "start observing" or "turn one's attention to" for a more engaging read.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to look" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of an action related to observation or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin to look" is a versatile verb phrase used to denote the start of an act of observation or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, as also suggested in the "aiResponseStatus". While it appears frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, it's less common in more formal writing where more precise synonyms might be preferred. When using "begin to look", consider the context and whether a more descriptive alternative such as "start examining" or "turn one's attention to" would enhance clarity. Keep in mind also other similar phrases or synonyms might be better suited depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start to look

Simple synonym; replaces "begin" with "start" to indicate the initiation of looking.

commence to look

Replaces "begin" with a more formal synonym, "commence".

start observing

Substitutes "look" with "observe", focusing on the act of watching.

begin observing

Replaces "look" with "observing", focusing on the act of watching.

start examining

Replaces "look" with "examine", emphasizing a more detailed inspection.

begin examining

Replaces "look" with "examining", emphasizing a more detailed inspection.

become apparent

Shifts the focus to something becoming visible or clear.

start to seem

Indicates something is starting to give a certain impression or appearance.

begin to appear

Focuses on the emergence or visibility of something.

turn one's attention to

Implies a deliberate shift of focus or investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "begin to look" to describe the start of an observation or investigation. For example, "After the storm, residents "began to look" for survivors."

What can I say instead of "begin to look"?

Alternatives include "start to look", "start observing", or "begin examining" depending on the context.

Is "begin to look" formal or informal?

"Begin to look" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might opt for a more precise synonym.

What's the difference between "begin to look" and "start to look"?

The difference is minimal; both phrases indicate the initiation of looking. "Begin to look" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "start to look", but they are largely interchangeable.