begins explaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begins explaining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the start of an explanation or clarification of a topic or concept. Example: "In the next section, the author begins explaining the key principles of the theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Seth Rollins emerges and begins explaining he did what he did for himself, and that he was the one who made The Shield a success.

Independent

Offended, the girl begins explaining to the potato why children are fun: they can play games, walk on their hands, pretend and so on.

The New York Times - Books

"Allora," Canavero begins, explaining to the guards that he used to be employed at the hospital, a surgeon in the neurology department, and is back for a visit.

The Guardian

But when she begins explaining the work of the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) and her 30 years as a member - the last two of which she has spent as chair - Gill turns many preconceived notions on their head.

The Guardian

The smoke from his stogie accumulates, and he begins explaining the finer points of "surface development," how curves and lines and geometries can imbue a car with a rich topography or conspire against it.

The New York Times

The minute the lights go down, John Williams's brassy anthem starts up and the opening crawl begins, explaining that Skywalker has been missing for the past 30 years, during which time an evil empire known as the First Order has taken power.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Baber sat them down and began explaining the weapon.

The New Yorker

And as I began explaining those risks, my patient's wife interrupted.

The New Yorker

Once the pictures had been narrowed down, Dangin began explaining to Demarchelier his concept for organizing the show.

The New Yorker

When Woodson began explaining to his players how they would defend, Chandler knew his coach took the conversation seriously.

The New York Times - Sports

The statistician Nate Silver began explaining polls to readers in 2008; the Times ran his blog, FiveThirtyEight, for four years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begins explaining" to clearly indicate the commencement of an explanation, especially when emphasizing the starting point in a sequence of events or actions. It adds a slightly more formal tone than "starts explaining".

Common error

Avoid using "begins explaining" in very casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "starts explaining" or "starts to explain" would be more appropriate. Overuse in informal settings can sound stilted or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begins explaining" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an explanatory action. As shown by Ludwig, it is often used in descriptive narratives to highlight the moment someone starts to provide details or clarify a topic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "begins explaining" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to denote the start of an explanatory action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though predominantly found in News & Media, Academia and Science. While "starts explaining" serves as a more common and informal alternative, "begins explaining" offers a slightly more formal tone. It should be used thoughtfully, avoiding overuse in casual settings to prevent sounding stilted. Overall, this phrase effectively sets the stage for detailed information or clarification, signaling the initiation of an explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starts explaining

A more common and slightly less formal alternative, focusing on the commencement of the explanation.

commences explaining

A more formal alternative, emphasizing a deliberate start to the explanation.

initiates explanation

Focuses on the start of the explanatory process, highlighting the action.

proceeds to explain

Indicates a sequential action, where explaining follows a prior action.

launches into an explanation

Suggests a more energetic and perhaps lengthy explanation.

sets about explaining

Implies a more methodical and organized approach to explaining.

undertakes to explain

A formal way of saying someone commits to explaining something.

opens by explaining

Highlights that the explanation is the initial part of a broader communication.

kicks off with an explanation

An informal way to suggest starting with an explanation.

gets down to explaining

Implies a practical and focused start to the explanation, often after some delay.

FAQs

How can I use "begins explaining" in a sentence?

You can use "begins explaining" to indicate the start of an explanation. For example, "The professor "begins explaining" the theory with a simple analogy."

What are some alternatives to "begins explaining"?

Alternatives include "starts explaining", "commences explaining", or "proceeds to explain". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "begins to explain" the same as "begins explaining"?

While similar, "begins explaining" is more concise and direct. "Begins to explain" is also correct, but may sound slightly less fluent in some contexts. Both phrases indicate the start of an explanatory action.

When should I use "begins explaining" instead of "starts explaining"?

"Begins explaining" is slightly more formal than "starts explaining". Use "begins explaining" in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the initiation of the explanation with a more deliberate tone.