it began by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it began by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the starting point or initial action of a process or event. Example: "The project was ambitious, and it began by gathering input from all stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Known by its French initials, G.I.A, it began by blowing up military targets and escalated to wholesale massacres of Algerians who did not believe in the jihad.

The New York Times

It began by imprisoning thousands of suspected militants and then turned its attention in the mid-1990's to trade unions it saw as infiltrated by fundamentalist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood.

The New York Times

It began by seeking sympathy.

The New Yorker

It began by him criticizing me devastatingly.

The New York Times

It began by throwing money at an unreformed NHS.

The Economist

It was called House of Guinea because it began by processing products from Guinea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It began by describing what Mr. Datta was wearing (low-waisted trousers).

The New York Times

It began by lobbying all-white sports organizations to change voluntarily, but made no progress.

The New York Times

It began by dismissing the protests – complain all you want, we've made up our mind.

The Guardian - Opinion

It began by temporarily capping the prices of all alcoholic beverages and some soft drinks.

The New York Times

It began by laying bare the supposedly brutal treatment of Republican prisoners at The Maze.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, use "it began by" to clearly mark the starting point, setting a chronological order for the reader.

Common error

Avoid starting every sentence with "it began by" in a narrative; vary sentence structure with alternatives such as "initially" or "at first" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it began by" serves as an introductory phrase to describe the initial action or starting point of a process, event, or activity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across a multitude of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it began by" is a versatile and frequently used introductory phrase that clearly indicates the starting point of a sequence of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports to encyclopedia articles. While it's essential for establishing chronological order, avoid overuse in narratives. Consider alternatives like "it started by" or "initially it involved" to enhance writing style and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it started by

Replaces "began" with "started", offering a more informal and common alternative.

it commenced with

Uses "commenced" to provide a more formal and slightly less common alternative to "began".

initially, it involved

Emphasizes the initial involvement of something, shifting the focus slightly.

the process initiated with

Highlights the start of a process, adding a more structured tone.

its initial step was

Focuses on the first step, making it explicit that it is a stage in a sequence.

the first action was

Directly states the first action taken, providing clarity and emphasis.

it opened with

Implies a beginning that sets the stage for subsequent events, similar to starting a show or performance.

it was inaugurated by

Suggests a formal or ceremonial beginning, suitable for events or projects.

the launch involved

Highlights the beginning of a launch event or project, focusing on its early activities.

at the outset, it featured

Highlights what was present or emphasized at the beginning, useful for describing early characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "it began by" in a sentence?

Use "it began by" to describe the initial action or starting point of a process or event. For example, "The company's expansion it began by targeting smaller regional markets".

What are some alternatives to "it began by"?

You can use alternatives such as "it started by", "initially it involved", or "it commenced with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it began by" or is there a more formal alternative?

Both are correct, but "it commenced with" is a more formal alternative to "it began by".

What’s the difference between "it began by" and "it ended with"?

"It began by" indicates the starting action, while "it ended with" describes the concluding action. They define the temporal boundaries of a process or event.