that began with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that began with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the starting point of a discussion, story, or event. Example: "The project that began with a simple idea has now evolved into a comprehensive plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a decade that began with such promise.

The New York Times

There was a concert that began with "I Love a Piano".

The New York Times

The search that began with the signs pointing eastward was complicated.

The Economist

But no, the Dixit girl had been named something else, something that began with "P".

The New Yorker

A career that began with a dispassionate shooter draws to an end with unresentful shot ducks.

The New Yorker

It is part of a longer historical process that began with the rise of Thatcherism.

Independent

I wrote a column that began with two words: Karma counts.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are now observing the end of an epoch that began with Gorbachev's perestroika," he said.

The New York Times

The loss concluded a day that began with some disheartening news.

The New York Times - Sports

It was not a relationship that began with daffodils and candy.

The New Yorker

By defeating Lee, the Mets added some luster to a day that began with unpromising news.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that began with" to clearly indicate the starting point of a series of events, a process, or a historical period, ensuring clarity and chronological accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "that began with" in simple narratives where a more direct verb like "started" would suffice. Overuse can make writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that began with" acts as a relative clause, modifying a noun phrase and indicating the starting point of an event, process, or series. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that began with" serves as a useful relative clause to specify the origin or starting point of an event, process, or series. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and common across diverse contexts, especially in news, science, and business. While it can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "that started with" in informal settings, "that began with" is generally suitable for neutral to professional communication. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid unnecessary formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that started with

Replaces "began" with "started", a more informal synonym, slightly altering the tone.

that originated from

Emphasizes the source or origin, rather than the act of beginning.

that commenced with

Uses "commenced", a more formal synonym for "began", which might suit more formal contexts.

that initiated with

Highlights the act of initiating something, focusing on the first action taken.

that stemmed from

Implies that something developed or arose from a specific origin, adding a sense of causality.

that arose from

Indicates the emergence of something from a particular starting point or cause.

that was triggered by

Suggests a cause-and-effect relationship where something was set in motion by an initial event.

that unfolded from

Presents the idea of a process gradually revealing itself from a particular beginning.

that derived from

Focuses on the derivation or extraction of something from an initial source or state.

that took off with

Implies a rapid or successful start, adding a sense of momentum.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "that began with"?

Alternatives include "that started with", "that originated from", or "that commenced with", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

How can I use "that began with" in a sentence?

You can use "that began with" to introduce the initial event or action in a sequence, for example: "The project that began with a simple idea has now evolved into a comprehensive plan."

Is "that began with" formal or informal?

"That began with" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In more informal contexts, "that started with" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "that began with" and "that started with"?

While both phrases are similar, "that began with" often implies a more significant or formal commencement, whereas "that started with" is more general and can be used in everyday contexts.