had begun from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had begun from" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when trying to indicate the starting point of an action or event in the past, but it is better to use more conventional phrasing. Example: "The project had begun from a simple idea that grew into something much larger."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A national recruiting frenzy had begun, from schools in states Michael could not find on a map.

The New York Times - Books

An Israeli Army official said that the withdrawal had begun from Qalqilya, one of four Palestinian-controlled cities in which Israeli troops remained.

The New York Times

An Israeli Army official said early this morning that the withdrawal had begun from Qalqilya, one of four Palestinian-controlled cities in which Israeli troops remained.

The New York Times

Some of the works were bought at bargain prices in Paris after the war had begun, from owners who were anxious to lighten themselves for flight from the Germans.

The New Yorker

Whymper and the others had begun from this very spot, as well as had so many others.

Forbes

If a group of Bayesian individuals all had begun from the same initial probabilities, then simply sharing their evidence would lead them all to the same final probabilities.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Ferry service has begun from Rye to Batville.

The New Yorker

It has begun from the premise that big changes are afoot in the energy field, and has tried to pick the technologies most likely to be important.

The Economist

Ferry service has begun from Rye to Batville.… We get so many wrong number and misinformation that we are planning to substitute small colored boys for our telephone.

The New Yorker

An evacuation has begun from the last opposition-held enclaves of the old city of Homs in Syria.

BBC

The oil generation from the Ahmadi Member may have begun from Early Eocene and the main oil window occurred in the Late Miocene.

Petroleum Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and conciseness, consider replacing "had begun from" with stronger, more direct verbs such as "started", "originated", or "emerged". This will make your writing more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "had begun from" in constructions where the active voice would be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The project had begun from an idea," write "The project started with an idea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had begun from" functions as a connector indicating the origin or starting point of a past action or event. However, it can often be replaced by more concise and direct alternatives. As Ludwig AI points out, it can sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "had begun from" is grammatically acceptable, it's not the most common or elegant choice in written English. As Ludwig AI notes, it can sound awkward. It serves to indicate the starting point or origin of a past action, but simpler and more direct alternatives like "had started from" or "originated from" are often preferable. These alternatives enhance clarity and conciseness, making your writing more impactful. The phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, but its frequency is relatively uncommon. When using this phrase, consider whether a more direct and engaging alternative would better suit your writing style. To avoid potential errors, focus on active voice constructions to strengthen your prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had started from

Replaces "begun" with "started", offering a more common and direct alternative.

had originated from

Substitutes "begun" with "originated", emphasizing the point of origin or initial source.

had commenced from

Replaces "begun" with "commenced", adding a slightly more formal tone.

had emerged from

Focuses on the idea of something arising or developing from a particular point.

had stemmed from

Highlights the idea that something developed as a result of something else.

had its roots in

Emphasizes the historical basis or foundation of something.

had sprung from

Suggests a rapid or sudden beginning from a specific source.

was initiated from

Uses passive voice and "initiated" to describe the start of something from a given location.

had evolved out of

Focuses on the idea of something developing from a previous state or condition.

was launched from

Implies a more formal and planned beginning, often used for projects or initiatives.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "had begun from"?

You can use alternatives like "had started from", "had originated from", or "had emerged from" depending on the context.

Is "had begun from" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "had begun from" can sound awkward. It's often better to use more concise phrasing such as "had started from" or "originated from".

When should I use "had begun from"?

You can use "had begun from" to emphasize the starting point of an action or event in the past, but consider whether a simpler alternative would be clearer. For instance, instead of saying "The investigation had begun from a tip-off", you could say "The investigation started with a tip-off".

How does "had begun from" differ from "began with"?

"Had begun from" emphasizes the point of origin in a past perfect context, while "began with" simply indicates the starting point. "Began with" is usually more direct and easier to understand.