Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
construction began in
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"construction began in" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase when referring to a specific time period in which construction began on a project. For example, "Construction began in the summer of 2019 on the new library in town."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Wiki
Alternative expressions(20)
building started in
development commenced in
work initiated in
groundbreaking occurred in
project launched in
establishment initiated in
building began in
establishment began in
redevelopment began in
renovation began in
compilation began in
pipeline began in
manufacture began in
sector began in
plant began in
education began in
manufacturing began in
acquisition began in
settlement began in
conception began in
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
And construction began in earnest.
News & Media
Construction began in 1998.
News & Media
Construction began in the early 1890s.
News & Media
Construction began in 1163 and continued until 1345.
Encyclopedias
Construction began in 20 bc and lasted for 46 years.
Encyclopedias
Construction began in 1817 and was completed in 1825.
Encyclopedias
Construction began in 1856 and continued despite the civil war.
News & Media
The trainer's construction began in September 2001, one expert said.
News & Media
Construction began in February 2003; the theater opened last November.
News & Media
Construction began in the 1980s but was halted in 1990.
News & Media
Construction began in January this year, near the capital, Ouagadougou.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "construction began in", ensure that the year or time period is specific and accurate to provide clear context. For instance, "Construction began in early 2023" is more informative than "Construction began recently".
Common error
Avoid using "since" instead of "in" when specifying the start date. "Construction began since 2020" is incorrect. The correct usage is "Construction began in 2020".
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "construction began in" functions as an introductory element specifying the commencement date or period of a construction project. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound and widely applicable phrase.
Frequent in
News & Media
37%
Wiki
30%
Encyclopedias
23%
Less common in
Science
5%
Formal & Business
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "construction began in" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the starting point of a building project. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is simple and clearly understood. It is most frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias, and wiki entries. While appropriate for formal contexts, it is considered register-neutral, making it suitable for a wide variety of communication. Remember to specify a precise year or timeframe for the most clarity. Finally, avoid the common mistake of substituting "in" with "since" when referring to the starting year.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
building started in
Replaces "construction" with "building" and "began" with "started", offering a more informal tone.
development commenced in
Substitutes "construction" with "development" and "began" with "commenced", resulting in a more formal expression.
work initiated in
Replaces "construction" with "work" and "began" with "initiated", focusing on the activity rather than the structure.
groundbreaking occurred in
Uses "groundbreaking" to highlight the start of construction, adding emphasis to the initial event.
project launched in
Emphasizes the project aspect, suitable when referring to the start of a broader undertaking.
establishment initiated in
Focuses on the act of setting up or founding a structure or institution, differing slightly in scope from general building.
foundation laid in
Highlights the initial stage of building, specifically referring to the creation of the base or groundwork.
the first stone was laid in
Offers a more descriptive and traditional way to express the beginning of construction, often used for significant buildings.
erection began in
A more formal term for starting construction, often used in architectural or historical contexts.
implementation started in
Shifts the focus to the act of putting a plan or design into effect, rather than the physical construction itself.
FAQs
What can I say instead of "construction began in"?
You can use alternatives like "building started in", "development commenced in", or "work initiated in depending on the context".
Is it correct to say "construction was began in"?
No, "construction was began in" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "construction began in".
How do I use "construction began in" in a sentence?
You can use "construction began in" to indicate when a building or infrastructure project started. For example, "Construction began in 1926 and was completed a year later".
What's the difference between "construction began in" and "construction started in"?
While both phrases are similar, "construction began in" tends to be slightly more formal than "construction started in".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested