beginning to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beginning to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the start of an action or process. Example: "She is beginning to understand the complexities of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm beginning to wonder.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"From beginning to end".

The New York Times

I'm beginning to worry.

The Guardian

Maybe they are beginning to.

The New Yorker

These are beginning to emerge.

The Economist

And are beginning to again.

The New York Times

People are beginning to return.

The New York Times

Children are beginning to die.

The New York Times

"Hybrids are beginning to accelerate".

The New York Times

That is beginning to change.

The New York Times - Sports

Kern was beginning to sweat.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beginning to" to describe the initial phase of a process or action. It indicates a transition from not doing something to starting to do it.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions when using "beginning to". Instead of saying "Mistakes are beginning to be made", opt for the more direct "People are beginning to make mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beginning to" functions as an auxiliary phrase that combines with a verb to indicate the inception or initial phase of an action or state. Ludwig examples show this in contexts like "People are beginning to return" or "That is beginning to change".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beginning to" is a versatile phrase used to denote the start of an action or a change in state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "starting to" serves as a close synonym, "beginning to" often carries a slightly more formal tone. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential overuse of passive voice, and ensure clarity by opting for more direct constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting to

This alternative is a direct synonym, offering a similar sense of initiation or commencement.

commencing to

This alternative provides a more formal tone, suggesting a deliberate start.

getting ready to

This suggests preparation or anticipation of an upcoming action.

on the verge of

This implies an imminent start or transition point.

about to

Indicates that something is going to happen very soon.

in the process of

This shows that an action is underway, though not necessarily at the very start.

tending to

Implies a gradual inclination towards a particular action or state.

inclined to

Suggests a disposition or leaning toward a certain behavior.

setting out to

This emphasizes intention and the launch of a specific endeavor.

preparing to

Highlights the planning and readiness preceding an action.

FAQs

How to use "beginning to" in a sentence?

"Beginning to" is used to indicate the start of an action or a change in state. For example, "The flowers are "starting to bloom"" or "I am "beginning to understand" the concept".

What can I say instead of "beginning to"?

You can use alternatives like "starting to", "commencing to", or "getting ready to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "beginning to" or "starting to"?

Both "beginning to" and "starting to" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the desired tone, with "beginning to" sometimes perceived as slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "beginning to" and "about to"?

"Beginning to" indicates the initial stage of an action, while "about to" suggests that something is going to happen very soon, almost immediately.