does not begin to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not begin to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is far from sufficient or inadequate in comparison to something else. Example: "The amount of money raised for the charity does not begin to cover the costs of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Islamic" does not begin to describe it.

The New York Times - Arts

Minimalist does not begin to describe it.

The New York Times - Arts

Heartbreaking does not begin to describe it.

The Guardian - Sport

"Hellhole does not begin to describe this dump," he said.

The New Yorker

It does not begin to resemble a Leonardo.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm sorry" does not begin to be enough.

The New York Times

"Popular" does not begin to describe this man.

The New York Times

Surreal does not begin to describe it all.

The Guardian - Music

EERILY silent does not begin to describe it.

The New York Times

The term African-American does not begin to cover it.

The New York Times - Arts

Unique does not begin to describe the challenge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not begin to" to emphasize the inadequacy of something in comparison to a specific standard or expectation. For example, "The initial investment does not begin to cover the long-term maintenance costs."

Common error

Avoid using "does not begin to" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler, more direct expressions would be more appropriate. This phrase can sound overly dramatic or formal in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not begin to" functions as a negative intensifier. It amplifies the inadequacy of something, indicating that it falls significantly short of a certain standard or expectation. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not begin to" is a commonly used phrase that serves as a negative intensifier, emphasizing the inadequacy of something. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use in News & Media, with significant presence in Science and Formal & Business contexts. While grammatically correct, it is most effective in neutral to professional settings, where its strong sense of inadequacy can be fully appreciated. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic in informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is nowhere near

Emphasizes the large gap between what is and what is needed or expected.

falls far short of

Highlights the significant deficiency in meeting a particular standard or goal.

is a poor representation of

Indicates that something does not accurately depict or reflect the true nature of something else.

is hardly sufficient for

Suggests that something is barely adequate and lacks the necessary qualities or quantity.

doesn't even scratch the surface of

Implies that something only touches upon a small part of a larger issue or topic.

is a gross understatement of

Highlights that a statement significantly minimizes the true extent or severity of something.

cannot begin to compare to

Expresses that there is a significant difference in quality or magnitude between two things.

fails to capture the essence of

Indicates that something does not adequately represent or convey the true nature or feeling of something.

is a far cry from

Suggests that something is significantly different and usually worse than what is expected or desired.

is not even remotely close to

Emphasizes that there is no similarity or resemblance between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "does not begin to" in a sentence?

Use "does not begin to" to emphasize that something is far from adequate or sufficient. For example, "The initial funding "does not begin to" address the scale of the problem".

What can I say instead of "does not begin to"?

You can use alternatives like "is nowhere near", "falls far short of", or "is a poor representation of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "does not begin to" or "doesn't begin to"?

Both "does not begin to" and "doesn't begin to" are grammatically correct, but "does not begin to" is more formal while "doesn't begin to" is more informal. Choose based on the formality of your writing.

What's the difference between "does not begin to" and "is not enough"?

"Does not begin to" emphasizes a significant gap or inadequacy, while "is not enough" simply states that something is insufficient. The former carries a stronger sense of disparity.