they began

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "they began" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past action or activity that has already been completed. For example: "Yesterday morning, they began the long journey to their destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They began talking.

The Guardian

They began working together.

The New Yorker

They began chatting.

The New York Times

They began to march.

The New York Times

They began dating steadily.

The New York Times

They began to run.

The Guardian

They began consolidating.

The New York Times

They began brainstorming.

The New York Times - Sports

"Om namo," they began.

The New York Times

They began as adults.

The New Yorker

They began practicing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they began", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "they" has a clear antecedent in your sentence. Avoid starting a paragraph with "they began" if it's unclear who "they" are.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they began" functions as a verb phrase indicating the start of an action or state performed by a plural subject in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they began" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase to indicate the initiation of an action or state by a group in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To ensure clarity, it's essential to provide a clear antecedent for the pronoun "they". Alternatives such as "they started" or "they commenced" can be used for stylistic variation. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they started

Replaces "began" with its direct synonym, "started", indicating a nearly identical commencement of an action.

they commenced

"Commenced" provides a slightly more formal alternative to "began", suitable for more formal contexts.

they initiated

"Initiated" suggests a more deliberate or formal beginning, often implying a structured start.

they undertook

"Undertook" implies starting something that requires effort or responsibility.

they launched

"Launched" suggests a vigorous or public beginning, often used for projects or campaigns.

they embarked on

"Embarked on" suggests starting a journey or endeavor, usually with a sense of anticipation.

they set about

"Set about" implies starting a task or activity in a methodical way.

they proceeded to

"Proceeded to" suggests moving forward to the next step or action.

they got underway

"Got underway" is an idiomatic expression indicating the start of a process or activity.

they sprang into action

This phrase suggests an immediate and energetic start to an activity or task.

FAQs

How can I use "they began" in a sentence?

Use "they began" to indicate the start of an action or process performed by a group. For instance, "After the meeting, "they began" to implement the new strategies".

What are some alternatives to "they began"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "they started", "they commenced", or "they initiated".

Is it grammatically correct to use "they began"?

Yes, "they began" is grammatically correct when used to describe a past action initiated by a plural subject. Ludwig AI confirms this.

What's the difference between "they began" and "they start"?

"They began" refers to a completed action in the past, while "they start" refers to an action that is starting in the present or future. For example, "Yesterday, "they began" the project", versus "Tomorrow, "they start" a new phase".