conflict began

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conflict began" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the starting point of a disagreement or struggle, often in historical or narrative contexts. Example: "The conflict began in the early 20th century, leading to significant changes in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The conflict began with grievances about corruption.

The New York Times

The current conflict began later that week.

The New York Times

Here my desperate internal conflict began to brew.

The New Yorker

When the conflict began, even their fighters were better armed.

The New Yorker

The intervention that helped decide the Libyan conflict began tentatively.

The New Yorker

It's four years since Syria's bloody conflict began.

The Guardian

Hundreds of Lebanese civilians have died since the conflict began.

The Economist

Hamas has killed five Israelis since the conflict began.

The New York Times

The conflict began shortly after NextWave won its licenses.

The New York Times

The woman, who goes by Umm Jaafar, was a hairdresser before the conflict began.

The New York Times

The larger conflict began with the end of the cold war.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the start of a conflict, ensure you provide enough context. Mention the key players, the initial triggers, and the underlying causes to give the reader a complete understanding of how the "conflict began".

Common error

Instead of saying "The conflict began a long time ago", provide a specific date or period if possible. Vague time references can confuse readers and diminish the impact of your statement. Be precise about when the "conflict began" to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conflict began" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It establishes a temporal starting point for a narrative or historical account, providing context for subsequent events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "conflict began" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies the starting point of a conflict, dispute, or struggle. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, it serves to inform readers about the genesis of a given conflict. When using this phrase, consider providing sufficient context, including the involved parties and initial triggers, to offer a comprehensive understanding. While alternatives like "hostilities commenced" or "fighting erupted" exist, "conflict began" remains a clear and widely accepted choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hostilities commenced

Replaces 'conflict' with 'hostilities' and uses a more formal verb 'commenced' instead of 'began'.

fighting erupted

Substitutes 'conflict' with 'fighting' and 'began' with 'erupted', suggesting a sudden and violent start.

war broke out

Specifies the 'conflict' as a 'war' and uses the idiomatic expression 'broke out' to indicate its commencement.

dispute originated

Replaces 'conflict' with 'dispute' and 'began' with 'originated', indicating the starting point of a disagreement.

struggle initiated

Substitutes 'conflict' with 'struggle' and 'began' with 'initiated', suggesting a more prolonged and effortful commencement.

crisis unfolded

Replaces 'conflict' with 'crisis' and 'began' with 'unfolded', implying a gradual and progressive start to a critical situation.

controversy arose

Substitutes 'conflict' with 'controversy' and 'began' with 'arose', indicating the emergence of a public disagreement.

tensions escalated

Implies that underlying tensions increased to the point where the conflict was initiated, focusing on the build-up.

the clash started

Replaces 'conflict' with 'clash' and 'began' with 'started', indicating the commencement of a brief confrontation.

discord commenced

Uses a more formal and less common synonym 'discord' for conflict, and 'commenced' for began.

FAQs

How can I use "conflict began" in a sentence?

The phrase "conflict began" is used to describe the starting point of a disagreement or struggle. For example, "The "Syrian conflict began" in March 2011 with protests calling for political reform."

What are some alternatives to saying "conflict began"?

Alternatives include "hostilities commenced", "fighting erupted", or "war broke out", depending on the specific context and type of conflict.

Is it correct to say "the conflict was began"?

No, "the conflict was began" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "the conflict began" or "the conflict had begun" if referring to a past event before another past event. If using a passive construction, use "the conflict was started".

What's the difference between "conflict began" and "conflict started"?

While "conflict began" and "conflict started" are often interchangeable, "conflict began" may imply a more formal or significant commencement. "Conflict started" is generally more casual. The choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.