it began working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it began working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something started to function or operate, often after a period of inactivity or malfunction. Example: "After several attempts to fix the issue, I was relieved when the machine finally began working."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Google strapped Aclima sensors to its StreetView cars shortly after it began working with the company and its maps can now give you street-level data in areas with higher amounts of nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and black carbon — all pollutants coming from car exhaust.

TechCrunch

So from 2006, when it began working on Azure, its cloud-computing service, it was mainly an online replication of Microsoft's bundle of proprietary programs.

The Economist

In late 2012, Saudi Arabia grew frustrated with Qatar, which had been financing Islamist rebel brigades, and shifted its focus to Jordan, where it began working with the Jordanians and the C.I.A. in an effort to vet and train the more secular rebel groups.

The New York Times

It began working frantically to unload its shares, and on Friday afternoon it called to say that it had just signed an agreement to sell its stake to management.

The New York Times

The panel, which operates under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Program, is spelling out its new findings in a climate assessment it began working on three years ago and which fills 1,000 pages.

The New York Times

AppTek was founded in 1990 by Mohammad Shihadah and Mudar Yaghi, and in more recent years had been developing hybrid machine translation software, which will help eBay improve upon its own in-house machine translation capabilities it began working on two years ago.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It began its work last March and is scheduled to produce a draft constitution in June.

The New York Times

Then it begins working the bellows of its abdomen, rhythmically, in a bee version of calisthenics, to limber up the flight muscles.

The New York Times - Science

When it begins working on Bombay Sapphire, Margeotes/Fertitta will end work on Stolichnaya vodkas.

The New York Times

Inslee wants to create a series of deadlines to solve the technical problems at the waste plant, making sure it begins working by 2028.

BBC

Mr. Caws said the group felt pressure from its record label, Elektra, to deliver hits along the lines of "Popular" as it began work on its next album.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "it began working" to clearly indicate the start of a process or the restoration of functionality after a period of inactivity or malfunction.

Common error

Ensure the 'it' clearly refers to a specific subject. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what "it" represents to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it began working" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action or state. It describes the transition from a non-operational state to an operational one. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Tech

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it began working" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the start of an action or process. According to Ludwig, it's versatile, appearing frequently in news, tech, and general contexts. While it maintains a neutral register, ensuring the 'it' is clearly defined is crucial for clarity. Alternatives like "it started operating" or "it became functional" can be used based on the specific context. The phrase effectively conveys the commencement of a functional state, making it a valuable tool in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it started operating

Replaces "began" with "started" and "working" with "operating", focusing on functionality.

it commenced functioning

Substitutes "began" with the more formal "commenced" and "working" with "functioning".

it initiated operation

Replaces "began working" with a more formal and concise term, emphasizing the start of operations.

it became functional

Focuses on the state of being able to work, rather than the action of beginning.

it got up and running

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is now active and operational.

it was activated

Highlights the action of being made active, often used for systems or devices.

it sprang into action

Suggests a sudden or energetic start to working.

it turned on

A simple and common phrase indicating the start of operation, especially for electronic devices.

it became operational

Similar to "became functional", emphasizing the state of being ready for operation.

it started to function

A more literal and direct alternative, emphasizing the commencement of function.

FAQs

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

You can use "it began working" to describe something that started to function or operate. For example, "After several attempts, the machine "it began working" efficiently."

What are some alternatives to "it began working"?

Alternatives include "it started operating", "it commenced functioning", or "it became functional", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it began working" or "it started to work"?

Both "it began working" and "it started to work" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. However, "it began working" might imply a continuous process, while "it started to work" can refer to the initial action.

What is the difference between "it began working" and "it was working"?

"It began working" indicates the start of an action or process, while "it was working" describes a state of continuous operation. For instance, "It began working after the repair" versus "It was working perfectly before the power outage".