begin work

USAGE SUMMARY

"begin work" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to starting work on a specific task or project. For example, "Let's begin work on the company website updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Joseph and begin work.

The New York Times

His team would begin work straight away.

The Guardian

They were going home to begin work.

The New Yorker

Dr. Richardson will begin work July 1.

The New York Times - Style

Students will begin work on honors projects.

Stanford University

The factories will begin work on the dresses right away.

The New York Times

The winners are expected to begin work in mid-October.

The Economist

The 39-year-old will begin work later this month.

The Guardian - Sport

The negotiators were told to begin work at once.

The Guardian

(Dumont is about to begin work on a sequel, "Jeanne").

The New Yorker

He would soon begin work on "The Crucible".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin work" when you want to clearly and directly state that something is starting, without adding extra nuance or color to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "begin work" in very informal contexts where more casual phrases like "start working" or "get going" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin work" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of an activity or task. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase clearly communicates the initiation of effort towards a specific objective, similar to the examples found.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Begin work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the act of starting a task or job. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and practical application. It sees use across a variety of contexts, from news and media to academia, though it leans towards a neutral or professional tone. Alternative phrases like "commence working" offer a more formal option, while "start working" is slightly more casual. When using "begin work", ensure the level of formality aligns with the intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commence working

Uses a more formal verb choice for 'start'.

start the work

Rephrases the action with a noun.

get started on

Emphasizes the beginning of the process.

initiate labor

Uses more formal and technical language.

embark on the task

Implies a more significant or challenging undertaking.

kick off the project

Uses an idiomatic expression to mean start.

take up employment

Focuses on the employment aspect of starting work.

get down to business

Idiomatic and emphasizes focus and seriousness.

set about working

Implies a deliberate and organized approach.

start employment

Focuses on the start of a job or employment.

FAQs

How can I use "begin work" in a sentence?

You can use "begin work" to describe the start of a task, project, or job. For example, "The team will begin work on the new website next week".

What is a more formal alternative to "begin work"?

Alternatives like "commence working" or "initiate labor" can be used for a more formal tone. However, ensure the context warrants such formality.

Is it correct to say "begin to work" instead of "begin work"?

Both "begin work" and "begin to work" are grammatically correct, but "begin work" is often more concise and direct. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow of the sentence.

What's the difference between "begin work" and "start working"?

The difference is subtle; "begin work" is slightly more formal than "start working". In most contexts, they are interchangeable, but consider the overall tone you want to achieve.