had already begun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'had already begun' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used in the past perfect tense to indicate that an action started in the past and has already been completed. For example: "By the time I arrived, the meeting had already begun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His travels had already begun.

The New York Times - Sports

One had already begun decorating.

The New York Times

Some reforms had already begun.

The Economist

Mass firings had already begun.

The New Yorker

The postmodernist backlash had already begun.

The New York Times - Arts

Dr. Spiropulu said it had already begun.

The New York Times - Science

We had already begun gradually to separate.

The New Yorker

A new day, somehow, had already begun.

The New Yorker

The BBC had already begun cutting costs.

The New York Times

American operations had already begun winding down.

The New York Times

Warhol had already begun making movies.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when choosing synonyms. While "had already begun" is suitable for many situations, more formal or informal alternatives might be appropriate depending on the tone you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "has already begun" when referring to a past event. "Has already begun" is present perfect and implies a connection to the present, while "had already begun" correctly places the action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had already begun" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It indicates that an action or event commenced and was in progress before a certain point in the past, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had already begun" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something started before a specific time in the past. As verified by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly found in various contexts, most prominently in news and media. When writing, ensure you are using the correct tense to accurately reflect past events. To add variety to your writing, consider using synonyms like "had commenced" or "was already underway". By understanding these nuances, you can effectively and clearly communicate your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had started already

This phrase rearranges the words, placing "already" after "started", slightly altering the emphasis but retaining the core meaning.

had commenced

This alternative uses a more formal verb, "commenced", suggesting a more official or ceremonial start.

had initiated

This phrase focuses on the act of initiating something, suggesting a deliberate start.

was already underway

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of the activity rather than the specific point of commencement.

had gotten underway

Similar to 'was already underway', this emphasizes that the process had started and was continuing.

had been initiated previously

This option makes explicit that beginning of something happened before the mentioned moment in time.

had been set in motion

This implies that something was not just started but activated to continue.

had sprung into action

It highlights that something begun quickly and actively.

had taken off

This expression indicates something that has begun successfully or with momentum.

was in progress

This option highlights the continuation of an action at a certain moment in time, but removes the 'already' nuance.

FAQs

How do I use "had already begun" in a sentence?

Use "had already begun" to indicate that something started and was in progress before a specific point in the past. For example: "By the time the ambulance arrived, the rescue operation "had already begun"."

What can I say instead of "had already begun"?

You can use alternatives like "had commenced", "was already underway", or "had started already" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had already begun" or "has already begun"?

"Had already begun" is used for past events, while "has already begun" is used for present events. For example: "The movie "had already begun" when we arrived (past)", but "The movie "has already begun" (present).

What's the difference between "had already begun" and "already begun"?

"Had already begun" is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before a specific time in the past. "Already begun" (without "had") is less specific about the timeframe and typically requires a helping verb like "has" or "have" to function correctly.