thus began

USAGE SUMMARY

"thus began" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a story or event that has just begun. For example: "Thus began our adventure across the Sahara Desert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Thus began the outbreak.

The New Yorker

Thus began their friendship.

The New York Times - Sports

Thus began their deliberation.

The New York Times

Thus began Stephane's journey.

The Guardian

Thus began the transformation.

The Guardian - Music

Thus began his career.

The New York Times - Sports

Thus began her conversion experience.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thus began the Babylonian Exile.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus began an unconventional career.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Thus began my new obsession with rutabaga.

The New York Times

Thus began the slide.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "thus began" with a descriptive phrase to immediately capture the reader's attention and set the tone for what follows. For example: "Thus began a long and arduous journey."

Common error

Avoid using "thus began" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for more natural alternatives like "so it started" or "that's how it began".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thus began" serves as an introductory element, signaling the commencement of a narrative, event, or process. It acts as a narrative marker, guiding the reader or listener into the unfolding story. Ludwig confirms its validity for effective communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thus began" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce the commencement of a narrative, event, or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a reliable phrase. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, where it serves to mark the beginning of a story. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it leans towards a neutral to formal register. For more informal settings, alternatives like "so it started" or "that's how it began" may be more appropriate. To effectively use "thus began", consider the context and desired tone, ensuring it aligns with the formality of your writing or speech. Using the phrase in a grammatically correct and semantically coherent way, enhances clarity and ensures seamless flow for the reader, making it an indispensable tool in a writer's toolkit, as shown by the examples found by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hence started

Indicates a logical consequence or result that initiated something; more formal.

this marked the start of

Highlights the significance of the moment as the beginning of something important.

so commenced

Emphasizes the formal or official start of something; more ceremonial.

with that came the dawn of

Implies a new era or significant change originated from that moment.

thereby initiated

Highlights that something was started as a direct result of a previous action.

the genesis of

A more sophisticated way of referring to the beginning of something.

in this way started

Focuses on the method or manner in which something began.

that was the inception of

Highlights the formal beginning or creation of something.

from there unfolded

Emphasizes the gradual development and unfolding of events after a starting point.

it all started when

More conversational, setting a specific point in time as the origin.

FAQs

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

"Thus began" is typically used to introduce the start of an event, process, or period. For example, "Thus began the era of space exploration."

What are some alternatives to "thus began"?

Alternatives include "hence started", "so commenced", or "this marked the start of", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "thus began" formal or informal?

"Thus began" is generally considered a formal phrase, more suited to writing than casual speech.

What's the difference between "thus began" and "so began"?

"Thus began" implies a more direct and logical consequence or starting point than "so began", which can be a more general indicator of the start of something.