it began that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it began that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English and may confuse readers due to its awkward structure. Example: "It began that the project would take longer than expected."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It is said to be recent; but it is the character of the business and not the date when it began that is determinative.

Cornell University

It began that process this week by laying off 160 mechanical engineers at its technical center in Warren, Mich.

The New York Times

It began that night with two ballerinas in green leotards and black tights, insolently and insouciantly standing on an empty stage, weighing each other up.

The Guardian

It began that process in mid-February, about the same time as it made changes to the system to improve its fairness.

The Guardian

It began that way a century ago, but across the United States, 90percentt of 4-H clubs are now in urban and suburban settings.

The New York Times

The war, he added, "will always be clouded by how it began" — that is, he said, on the premise that Saddam Hussein had unconventional weapons, which did not exist.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It was another rocky opening day start for Sabathia, though it hardly began that way.

The New York Times - Sports

But it hardly began that way.

The New York Times

But it all began that night, the night Kidd's legend was born in Oakland.

The New York Times - Sports

In Syracuse, where it all began, that same AHL minor league hockey arena is going through a massive renovation.

Forbes

I blush to admit it, but our affair began that very night.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it began that" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "it started when" or "it commenced with".

Common error

Do not directly follow "began" with "that" to introduce a clause. This construction is grammatically awkward. Instead, rephrase to use a conjunction like "when" or "with" or restructure the sentence entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it began that" is grammatically incorrect and does not serve a standard grammatical function in English. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction is not typically used and may cause confusion.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it began that" is considered grammatically incorrect and is not commonly used in standard English. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is awkward and can lead to confusion. It's best to avoid using this construction and instead opt for clearer, more grammatically sound alternatives such as "it started when", "it commenced with", or other similar phrases. Using these alternatives will improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it started when

Focuses on the specific time or event that marked the beginning.

it commenced with

Emphasizes a formal or official beginning, often highlighting the initial action or element.

it initiated after

Highlights the sequence of events, indicating that the start occurred following a prior action.

it originated from

Indicates the source or cause from which something began or developed.

it was inaugurated on

Suggests a formal or ceremonial commencement, often associated with new projects or systems.

it took off after

Implies a rapid or successful beginning, often used for ventures or initiatives.

it dawned on me that

Expresses a sudden realization or understanding that marks the beginning of a thought process.

the genesis of it was

Emphasizes the origin or creation of something, often implying a complex or significant development.

its inception occurred

Indicates the formal or planned beginning of an organization, project, or idea.

the onset happened

Highlights the initial stage of a process or event, often with negative connotations such as illness or conflict.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it began that" to sound more natural?

Instead of "it began that", consider using phrases like "it started when", "it commenced with", or "it initiated after" for clearer communication.

Is "it began that" grammatically correct?

No, "it began that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and sounds awkward in most contexts. It's best to use alternative phrasing for better clarity and adherence to standard English.

What is a more formal alternative to "it began that"?

For a more formal tone, you might use "it originated from", or "its inception occurred" depending on the context, instead of the unidiomatic "it began that".

How does the meaning change when using "it started when" instead of "it began that"?

While both refer to the start of something, "it started when" is clearer and more commonly accepted. "It began that" is not idiomatic and should be avoided.