begin to perceive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin to perceive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the process of starting to notice or understand something. Example: "As she listened to the lecture, she began to perceive the underlying themes in the author's work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

If they begin to perceive Bass as overcrowded, they will likely go elsewhere.

Yale University

People may begin to perceive their financial status as a competition, for example.

Yale University

They are part of the same overlapping social networks, and inevitably begin to perceive the world in similar, conventional ways.

The New York Times

At this point you may begin to perceive the truth that "funny" is inherent to the person.

Harvard Business Review

When sound processors remove the same frequencies and lower the volume a minuscule amount, our brains begin to perceive the sound as coming from behind.

The New York Times - Tech

Teenage girls read the novel as melodramatic; adult readers of both genders begin to perceive irony — its amount seems to vary from reading to reading.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Companies are beginning to perceive these costs.

The New York Times

With mounting frustration, Russo began to perceive that the cabbie was essentially driving in circles.

The New Yorker

She began to perceive that this, more than curls or thoughtful ways, was what pleased.

The New Yorker

He began to perceive what he said was the hostility of Muslim youth.

The New York Times

But as the situation calmed, people began to perceive the walls as not only protecting local businesses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to perceive" to describe the initial stage of understanding or noticing something, especially when a gradual change in awareness is implied. For instance, "As the data accumulated, researchers began to perceive a trend."

Common error

Avoid using "begin to perceive" when "know" is more appropriate. "Begin to perceive" indicates the start of understanding, while "know" suggests complete comprehension. For instance, don't say "I began to perceive the answer" if you already fully understand it; use "I know the answer" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to perceive" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of awareness or understanding. It highlights the initial stage of recognizing or grasping something, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples from diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin to perceive" is a versatile phrase used to denote the initial phase of understanding or awareness. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently encountered across various writing styles and disciplines, including news, academia, and science. While alternatives like "start to notice" and "begin to understand" exist, "begin to perceive" carries a slightly more formal tone. Remember, this expression emphasizes the gradual development of awareness, distinguishing it from sudden realizations or complete comprehension. By recognizing its function and register, you can confidently incorporate "begin to perceive" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start to perceive

Uses "start" instead of "begin", indicating a similar but slightly more immediate commencement of perception.

commence to perceive

Replaces "begin" with "commence", resulting in a more formal and less common phrasing.

begin to see

A more general term for starting to understand or recognize something, similar to "perceive" but less formal.

begin to understand

Focuses specifically on the commencement of comprehension, differing from the broader notion of perception.

begin to view

Focuses on the adoption of a particular perspective or way of seeing something.

get to perceive

Uses "get to" to indicate an opportunity or ability to perceive, adding a slightly different connotation.

begin to appreciate

Shifts the focus to valuing or recognizing the worth of something, rather than merely noticing it.

begin to feel

Emphasizes an emotional or intuitive understanding, contrasting with the cognitive aspect of perceiving.

begin to consider

Highlights the initiation of thoughtful examination, suggesting a more deliberate process than simply perceiving.

begin to receive

Implies the commencement of accepting or experiencing something, often information or sensations.

FAQs

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

Use "begin to perceive" to describe the initial stage of noticing or understanding something. For example, "After several weeks, she "began to perceive" the subtle nuances of the language."

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

You can use alternatives like "start to notice", "begin to understand", or "begin to see depending on the context.

What's the difference between "begin to perceive" and "realize"?

"Begin to perceive" indicates the initial stage of understanding, whereas "realize" suggests a sudden awareness or comprehension. "I "began to perceive" a pattern" implies a gradual recognition, while "I realized the truth" suggests a moment of sudden understanding.

Is it correct to say "starts to perceive" instead of "begin to perceive"?

Yes, "starts to perceive" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning. It might imply a slightly more immediate or abrupt commencement of perception compared to "begin to perceive".