it began draining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it began draining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of something starting to lose liquid or energy, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "After the heavy rain, the water in the yard began draining into the nearby storm drain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

An oily tang in the air offers a clue: this cheerful place is the site of an environmental disaster caused by Soviet forces.The occupiers left some 7,000 tonnes of kerosene in the soil around the airbase from where it began draining into a nearby river.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Poitevin breed as it is known today began to take shape in the early 17th century, as engineers began draining the French marshes and brought with them their draft horses, which were crossed with native horses.

Wikipedia

Rick Abben said officials began draining 27-acre Meyers Lake in the northeast Iowa city of Evansdale Monday, and that it could take up to three days.

Huffington Post

In the late 1800's, Polish immigrants began draining a swamp that became the fertile black dirt region.

The New York Times

"Portrait of a Century" begins when 66percentt of the state was farmland and John B. Smith, New Jersey's "mosquito man," began draining New Jersey's mosquito-infested swamps to prevent malaria.

The New York Times

The gardens have been sick for a long time, ever since the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes arrived in 1519 and began draining the lakes.

The New Yorker

The authorities today began draining a three-acre lake in their search for bodies near the Tri-State Crematory, where more than 300 corpses have been discovered.

The New York Times

The hope began draining out of Rams linebacker London Fletcher when Adam Vinatieri jogged onto the field with 7 seconds left in Super Bowl XXXVI.

The New York Times - Sports

Federal authorities began draining a small pond today in a municipal park near Frederick, Md., searching for evidence in the unsolved anthrax mailings that killed five people and inflicted illness on 17 others in 2001, the F.B.I. said.

The New York Times

Once 2,500 square miles of impenetrable reedbed and marsh where Iceni rebels could hide from the Romans, this wilderness was conquered by a Dutch engineer, Cornelius Vermudyen, who built the first sluice and began draining and reclaiming the marshes in 1651.

The Guardian - Travel

Six weeks ago, as part of the city's campaign against the West Nile virus, workers from the Department of Environmental Protection began draining the marsh, using pumps and a hose that emptied into a sewer next to the Jackie Robinson Parkway.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it began draining" when describing the commencement of a process where a liquid or substance is being emptied or removed from a container, area, or system. Ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to.

Common error

Ensure the subject "it" is clearly defined and understood in the context. Vague or ambiguous references can lead to confusion about what is actually draining.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it began draining" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a draining process. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English for describing the initiation of liquid or energy depletion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it began draining" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the initiation of a draining process. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and versatility in various contexts. While applicable across several domains, it is most frequently encountered in news and media, Wikipedia and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, clarity of the subject "it" is crucial to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like "it started draining" or "it commenced draining" can be considered based on the desired formality. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's adaptability in describing both physical and abstract scenarios involving depletion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it started emptying

Replaces "began" with "started", indicating a similar commencement of emptying but with a slightly less formal tone.

it commenced draining

Substitutes "began" with "commenced", adding a slightly more formal or technical feel.

it initiated drainage

Replaces "began draining" with "initiated drainage", making the phrase more technical and process-oriented.

it started seeping out

Focuses on the gradual leakage or outflow, emphasizing the manner of draining.

it initiated outflow

Similar to "initiated drainage" but highlights the action of flowing out.

it was starting to run dry

Shifts the focus to the state of becoming empty, rather than the active process of draining.

it started to diminish

Generalizes the action to a broader sense of decreasing or lessening, not specifically related to fluids.

it began to dissipate

Implies a more gradual disappearance or vanishing, rather than a directed draining.

its level began decreasing

Specifically refers to a reduction in the level of something, often a liquid.

it underwent depletion

Highlights the process of being reduced or exhausted, with a more passive connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "it began draining" to describe the start of a process where something is being emptied. For example, "After the heavy rain, the pool "it began draining" slowly overnight".

What are some alternatives to using "it began draining"?

Alternatives include "it started draining", "it commenced draining", or "it initiated drainage", depending on the desired level of formality.

What does "it began draining" imply about the process?

"It began draining" implies that a process of emptying or removing a substance has started. The rate or duration of the draining is not specified, only that it has commenced.

Is there a difference between "it began draining" and "it started to drain"?

The difference between ""it began draining"" and "it started to drain" is subtle. "Began" is slightly more formal than "started", but in most contexts, they are interchangeable.