passage begins

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passage begins" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the start of a specific section or excerpt from a text, often in literary or academic contexts. Example: "In the novel, the passage begins with a vivid description of the setting, drawing the reader into the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The passage begins with Huck speaking.

The New Yorker

It's a test cut on the metal part before the passage begins.

The New Yorker

A typical passage begins, "Sara is studying Iranian literature at Tehran University".

The New Yorker

One bittersweet passage begins: "I loved the damp, stale stink of a million cigarettes smoked.

The New York Times - Books

"At first, as I listened from the house," one passage begins, "the music was simply a delicious confusion, a strangely sensuous and quite unfathomable art, mysteriously aerial, aeolian, filled with joy and radiance.

The New York Times - Arts

This contemporary obsession with real estate — less a private passion than a public rite of passage — begins disconcertingly young: my 16-year-old daughter is an avid fan of "MTV Cribs," a reality show that brings you into the domiciles of young music stars and extreme athletes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Have you ever seen an animal with three tails?" the passage began.

The New York Times

It was about this time when small tokens as rites of passage began to fade away.

The New York Times - Style

"The Passage" began life as a conversation between Cronin and his daughter Iris, who was 9 at the time.

The New York Times - Magazine

The same passage began again, only this time the whole orchestra — especially the strings — sounded bristling and febrile.

The New Yorker

The part-time jobs that were once a rite of passage began to disappear rapidly at the start of this decade.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing literature or academic texts, use "passage begins" to clearly indicate the starting point of a specific section you are referencing. This ensures clarity and helps readers locate the exact portion of the text under discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "passage begins" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase is better suited for analytical or academic contexts where precise textual references are necessary. Use more conversational alternatives like "it starts with" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passage begins" functions primarily as an introductory element, pinpointing the commencement of a specific text segment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable, commonly indicating the start of a section.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passage begins" is a grammatically sound phrase best suited for formal and analytical writing, used to precisely identify the starting point of a text segment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is common within various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While not incorrect in other contexts, using simpler alternatives such as "it starts with" can improve clarity within informal writing. Remember to use this phrase to add clarity and precision to your writing, particularly when referencing specific textual sections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

section commences

Replaces 'passage' with 'section' offering a direct synonym for a part of a text and replaces 'begins' with 'commences'.

excerpt starts

Uses 'excerpt' to specify a selected piece of text, and replaces 'begins' with 'starts' for simplicity.

segment initiates

Employs 'segment' to denote a portion of text, replacing 'begins' with 'initiates' for a slightly more formal tone.

the text opens with

Shifts the focus to the text itself and how it opens rather than the passage.

the extract commences

Similar to "excerpt starts", but with a formal tone by using 'commences'.

the paragraph starts

Specifies the 'passage' as a paragraph.

the verse initiates

Specifies the 'passage' as a verse.

the chapter opens

Specifies the 'passage' as a chapter.

the scene opens with

Specifies the 'passage' as a scene and reframes the sentence structure to focus on the scene.

the argument commences

Specifies the 'passage' as an argument.

FAQs

How can I use "passage begins" in a sentence?

You can use "passage begins" to introduce a specific section or excerpt from a text, as in, "The "passage begins" with a description of the protagonist's childhood."

What are some alternatives to "passage begins"?

Alternatives include "section starts", "excerpt commences", or "segment initiates", depending on the level of formality and the specific type of text you're referencing.

Which is correct, "passage begins" or "passage is beginning"?

"Passage begins" is generally preferred for its conciseness and directness when indicating the start of a text segment. "Passage is beginning" implies a process unfolding, which is less common in this context.

Is "passage begins" suitable for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "passage begins" is more appropriate for academic, analytical, or formal writing where precise textual references are important. In casual writing, simpler phrases like "it starts with" might be more suitable.