had also begun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had also begun" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action started in the past and is relevant to another past action or situation. Example: "By the time the meeting started, they had also begun to prepare the presentation materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

She had also begun writing for architectural journals.

The New York Times - Arts

Marbella had also begun to attract a criminal element.

The New Yorker

Jammeh's security forces had also begun to desert him.

The Guardian

He had also begun to suspect Bree of cheating.

The New Yorker

He had also begun writing for BBC radio.

The Guardian

More importantly, she had also begun to get a feel for landscapes and mapmaking.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Federal investigations have also begun.

The New York Times

(Teams have also begun to use iPads).

The New Yorker

Startup America has also begun recruiting members.

The New York Times

The FBI has also begun an inquiry.

The Washington Post

Other dioceses have also begun to act.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had also begun" to connect a sequence of events or actions in the past, indicating that one event started in relation to another. This helps maintain a smooth narrative flow.

Common error

Avoid using "had also begun" when there is no clear prior action or event. The phrase implies a secondary start, so ensure the primary action is evident to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had also begun" functions as a past perfect construction, indicating that an action started before another point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used. Examples show its use across various contexts to link sequential past events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had also begun" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that an action started in the past, subsequent to another event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally accepted in English writing. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to academic writing, reflecting its versatility. To ensure clarity, always establish the initial action to which the secondary beginning relates. While synonyms like "had also commenced" exist, "had also begun" remains a standard and effective way to sequence past events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had equally started

Replaces "begun" with "started" emphasizing the parallel commencement of something.

had as well initiated

Uses "initiated" instead of "begun", suggesting a more formal or deliberate start.

had furthermore commenced

Replaces "begun" with "commenced", implying a more formal or official start.

had similarly proceeded

Uses "proceeded" suggesting a continuation or development that started.

had likewise undertaken

Suggests a start that involves commitment, replacing "begun" with "undertaken".

had also set about

Emphasizes the active approach to starting something, differing slightly from a passive beginning.

had concurrently started

Highlights the simultaneous start of an action, differing by emphasizing timing.

also began

Omits the auxiliary verb "had", resulting in a simpler past tense.

had been starting too

Changes the tense slightly to past continuous, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the start.

also started

Omits the auxiliary verb "had" and simplifies the word "began" into "started", resulting in a simpler past tense.

FAQs

How can I use "had also begun" in a sentence?

Use "had also begun" to show that something else started happening after something else was already in progress. For example, "After the rain started, the wind "had also begun" to pick up".

What's a more formal way to say "had also begun"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "had also commenced" or "had also initiated". These alternatives replace the more common "begun" with words that carry a more official or deliberate connotation.

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

"Had already begun" emphasizes that something started before the time being referenced. "Had also begun" simply indicates that something else started in addition to something that was already happening, without necessarily emphasizing the timing.

Is it correct to say "also had begun" instead of "had also begun"?

While "also had begun" isn't grammatically incorrect, "had also begun" is more standard and natural-sounding in English. The placement of "also" before "had" is less common and can sound awkward.