it was begun

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was begun' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to begin discussing a past event. For example: "It was begun by a group of volunteers who wanted to help their local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was begun in 1976.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was begun in 1958 and completed in 1964.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was begun by what Hezbollah has done in Beirut.

The Washington Post

It was begun 11 months ago, not two years.

The New York Times - Food

It was begun in 1880 and - it seems -never finished.

The New York Times

It was begun in 1964 and finished in 1984.

The New York Times - Arts

It was begun only last fall, with little fanfare.

The New York Times

It was begun by his older brother, R. Leslie Kelley.

The New York Times

"It was begun in desperation, " he told me.

The New Yorker

It was begun in the Late Republic, and continued into the Augustan period.

Yale University

A modern-dress film of "Julius Caesar" was cancelled before it was begun.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using this phrase; it's often suitable for formal writing or when emphasizing the passive nature of the action.

Common error

While "begin" and "start" are often interchangeable, "begin" can sometimes imply a more formal or deliberate initiation. Avoid using "it was began"; the correct form is "it was begun".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was begun" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of starting. It is commonly used to describe the commencement of an event, project, or process, as demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was begun" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive construction used to indicate the start of something. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from reputable sources. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the subject and be mindful of the slightly formal tone. Alternatives such as "it was started" or "it was initiated" can offer nuanced variations in meaning or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was started

Simple synonym replacing 'begun' with 'started'.

it was initiated

Replaces 'begun' with a more formal term, 'initiated'.

it commenced

A more formal and slightly less common alternative to 'begun'.

it originated

Emphasizes the point of origin or creation.

it was established

Suggests a more formal or official beginning.

its inception

Uses a noun form to describe the beginning or commencement of something.

it came into being

A more descriptive way of saying something began to exist.

it took shape

Focuses on the initial formation or development.

it saw its genesis

A literary way of referring to the beginning or origin.

the kickoff

More colloquial way to indicate the starting point.

FAQs

How to use "it was begun" in a sentence?

Use "it was begun" to describe when something started, especially in a formal or passive context. For example, "The construction "it was begun" in 1998".

What can I say instead of "it was begun"?

You can use alternatives like "it was started", "it was initiated", or "it commenced" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was begun" or "it was began"?

"It was begun" is the correct passive form of "begin." "Began" is the simple past tense, not the past participle needed for passive constructions.

Is "it was begun" formal?

While not overly formal, ""it was begun"" is more suited to formal or neutral contexts than very informal ones. Simpler alternatives like "it started" might be preferable in casual conversation.