is begun

USAGE SUMMARY

'is begun' is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used in the present perfect tense to express an action or event that happened at an unspecified time in the past and is still continuing in the present. For example, "After six months of planning, their business venture is begun."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Guided entry is begun.

The New York Times

The game is begun".

The New York Times

A theodicy is begun, and then fudged.

The New Yorker

Therefore the sooner it is begun the better.

Yale University

It is begun in the first semester, and typically completed in the second semester.

Cornell University

Committee members should approve the topic before the project is begun.

Columbia University

If it is within this range, bet_state is entered and the next hand is begun.

Cornell University

The accumulator is then cleared and the process is begun again.

Cornell University

But each activity need not be completed before the next activity is begun.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But, soon after it is begun, this affair, too, grows dull, for both Emma and Léon.

The New Yorker

And once the process is begun it is very difficult to stop or control.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is begun" to emphasize the passive nature of the action, highlighting that something is being started rather than who or what is starting it. For example, "The experiment is begun after the preparations are complete."

Common error

Avoid using "is begun" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "The project is begun by the team", use "The team begins the project" to emphasize the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is begun" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that an action or process is being initiated or has been initiated by an unspecified actor. Ludwig shows numerous examples across various contexts confirming its grammatical validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

27%

News & Media

27%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is begun" functions as a grammatically correct passive verb phrase, used to indicate the initiation of an action or process. As Ludwig highlights, it's common in academic, scientific, and news contexts, lending a formal tone. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid misusing it when the active voice is more appropriate. Remember to consider alternatives like "has started" or "has commenced" depending on the context. The widespread usage of this phrase underscores its utility in describing the start of various events and activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has started

Offers a simpler and more direct way to express the beginning of an action.

is initiated

Presents a slightly more formal and less common alternative using the present tense.

has commenced

Uses a more formal verb to indicate the start of something.

has been initiated

Emphasizes the formal introduction or launch of something.

is commenced

A more formal synonym, typically used in legal or official contexts.

has been launched

Suggests a more active and publicized beginning.

gets underway

Implies that something is in progress, often used for events or projects.

is getting started

Highlights the initial phase of activity.

is being started

Uses a continuous form to emphasize the ongoing nature of the beginning.

is set in motion

Indicates that something has been triggered or activated.

FAQs

How is "is begun" typically used in a sentence?

"Is begun" is used in the passive voice to indicate that an action or process has started. For example, "The renovation "is begun" after the permits are approved".

What are some alternatives to using "is begun"?

You can use alternatives like "has started", "has commenced", or "has been initiated" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it more common to use "is begun" or "has begun"?

"Has begun" is generally more common than "is begun". "Has begun" uses the active voice in the present perfect tense, while "is begun" is in the passive voice. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the actor.

What's the difference between "is begun" and "is starting"?

"Is begun" indicates a completed action of beginning in the past with present relevance (passive voice), while "is starting" indicates an action that is currently in progress (active voice). For example, "The meeting "is begun"" means the meeting has started, whereas "The meeting "is starting"" means it is in the process of beginning.