it was began

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was began" is not correct in written English; it should be "it began" or "it was begun".
You can use the phrase "it began" to refer to the start of something. For example, "It began when two unlikely friends met at the park."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The GTFF has also dealt with cases of property abandonment and obtaining homes by deception since it was began its work.

BBC

It was began in 1804 as a fashionable rural retreat.

The New Yorker

The scheme, if such it was, began unravelling almost at once.

The Economist

Smith's redemption, such as it was, began with the outbreak of the Second World War.

The New Yorker

Some time later, she again heard somebody walk overhead and then move off to one side, and whoever it was began burrowing.

The New Yorker

This "discovery of light," partial and piecemeal as it was, began around 1270 80 but is particularly associated with a well-known Parisian royal illuminator called Master Honoré, who was active about 1288 1300 or later.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was begun in 1976.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was beginning to decline.

The New York Times

It was begun 11 months ago, not two years.

The New York Times - Food

It was beginning to get rude.

The New York Times

It was beginning to get dark.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was begun" to describe that some actions was started by someone or something else. This form is the passive form of the verb, and it's grammatically correct.

Common error

Avoid using "it was began" as it's a grammatically incorrect combination of passive and active voice. Remember that "began" is the past tense of "begin", and in passive voice, you generally need a past participle (e.g., "begun").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was began" is an incorrect construction attempting to use the past tense of 'begin' in a passive voice. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically incorrect. The correct passive form would be 'it was begun'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was began" is considered grammatically incorrect, according to Ludwig AI. The proper forms to use are either "it began" (active voice) or "it was begun" (passive voice). The choice depends on whether the subject initiates the action or receives it. Due to its incorrectness, this phrase should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. The corrected phrases offer clarity and adhere to standard English grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it began

Directly replaces the passive construction with an active voice, correcting the grammatical error.

it was started

Replaces "began" with a more common and grammatically sound passive form.

it commenced

Uses a more formal synonym for 'began' while maintaining grammatical correctness.

it initiated

Another formal synonym that focuses on the act of initiating or starting something.

it originated

Emphasizes the origin or source of something, providing a slight shift in focus.

it arose

Suggests that something came into existence or began to develop.

it was launched

Implies a formal introduction or start, suitable for projects or initiatives.

it got underway

An idiomatic expression meaning that something has started or is in progress.

its inception was

Focuses on the moment of beginning or the establishment of something.

its commencement was

Similar to 'its inception was', but uses a more formal term for 'beginning'.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it was began"?

The correct phrasing depends on the intended meaning. Use "it began" for an active voice or "it was begun" for a passive voice.

Is "it was began" grammatically correct?

No, "it was began" is grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "it began" or "it was begun".

When should I use "it began" instead of "it was begun"?

Use "it began" when the subject initiates the action. Use "it was begun" when the subject is the recipient of the action.

What are some alternatives to "it was begun"?

Some alternatives include "it was started", "it was initiated", or "it was commenced", depending on the specific context.