thus begins

USAGE SUMMARY

"thus begins" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a new narrative, or to explain a new concept or situation. For example: "Thus begins the story of a brave knight who set out from his kingdom to save the princess from the dragon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus begins our readerly doubt.

The Washington Post

Thus begins Dorian's decent into amoral debauchery.

The Guardian - Books

Thus begins the risky pathway of healing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thus begins Shakespeare's most frightening tragedy.

The Guardian - Books

Thus begins John Edgar Wideman's challenging memoir.

The New York Times - Books

And thus begins a cycle of violence.

The Washington Post

Thus begins two solid weeks in Paris and Berlin.

The Economist

Thus begins their action-packed and often hilarious adventures.

The Guardian

Thus begins an escalating war of words and of wills.

The New York Times

Thus begins the subtle work of emasculating this fighting car.

The New Yorker

Thus begins the journey at the novel's heart.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thus begins" to create a sense of narrative momentum, signaling to the reader that a significant sequence of events is about to unfold.

Common error

Avoid using "thus begins" in overly casual or informal writing; it can sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "so it starts" or "this begins" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thus begins" functions as an introductory expression. It's typically used to signal the commencement of a sequence of events, a narrative, or a process. As demonstrated by the Ludwig examples, it sets the stage for what follows.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Books

14%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Tech

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thus begins" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, especially within News & Media and books, to introduce the start of a story, process, or series of events. It's considered neutral in register, making it versatile for various writing styles. While effective for creating narrative momentum, it should be used judiciously in informal contexts to avoid sounding overly formal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and applicable in numerous scenarios. Related phrases like "so it begins" or "this marks the start of" offer alternatives for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so it begins

Emphasizes a sense of inevitability or resignation as something starts.

and so it starts

Similar to "so it begins", but with a slightly more casual tone.

this marks the start of

Explicitly denotes the beginning of something, often a significant event.

this is the beginning of

Directly states the commencement of something, leaving no room for ambiguity.

henceforth it starts

More formal and emphasizes a clear point of commencement from now on.

that is how it starts

Indicates the initial stage of a process or story, often with a sense of foreshadowing.

from here it unfolds

Highlights the progressive revelation or development of a situation.

the commencement of

A more formal way of indicating a beginning, often used in official contexts.

it all starts here

Focuses on the location or point from which something originates.

the genesis of

Implies the origin or creation of something, often with a sense of importance.

FAQs

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

"Thus begins" is typically used to introduce a new phase, story, or process. For example: "Thus begins a new chapter in her life."

What are some alternatives to "thus begins"?

You can use alternatives like "so it begins", "this marks the start of", or "this is the beginning of depending on the context".

Is "thus begins" formal or informal?

"Thus begins" leans towards the formal side and is best suited for writing where you want to create a sense of importance or narrative drive.

When should I avoid using "thus begins"?

Avoid using "thus begins" in very casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or out of place in less serious contexts.