trouble begins

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trouble begins" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the start of a problematic situation or conflict. Example: "Everything seemed fine until the moment trouble begins, and we realized we were unprepared for the challenges ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Here the trouble begins.

Independent

That twinning is where the trouble begins.

The New York Times - Books

"So, that's when trouble begins.

The Guardian

Here's where the trouble begins.

The New York Times

After that the trouble begins.

The Guardian - Opinion

That is where the trouble begins.

The New York Times - Tech

The trouble begins at the beginning.

The New York Times

It's only when it becomes foolish that trouble begins.

The New York Times

Tuesday: We introduce a new product and the trouble begins.

The New York Times

The trouble begins long before a teacher enters the classroom.

The Economist

The trouble begins when Gertler's life becomes more complex.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase after established context so the reader understands exactly what catalyst triggered the negative outcome.

Common error

While "trouble begins" is evocative in news stories, it can be too imprecise for scientific or technical documentation. In those contexts, specify the nature of the 'trouble'—for instance, use "structural failure initiates" or "data corruption starts" instead of the generic phrase.

Linguistic Context

In the linguistic data provided by Ludwig, "trouble begins" functions primarily as a narrative marker or a predicative clause. It often serves to identify a specific catalyst or a turning point in a sequence of events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness as a subject-verb pair that effectively sets the stage for a conflict description.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trouble begins" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase used to denote the start of a conflict or a problem. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently employed in journalistic contexts to anchor the reader at a critical juncture in a story. While it is simple in its construction, its effectiveness lies in its ability to act as a bridge between an initial state of affairs and the ensuing complications. Writers should feel confident using it to add narrative flow, though they might opt for more technical alternatives in strictly formal or scientific documentation to ensure maximum precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issues arise

Uses a more neutral, professional tone often found in business or technical reports

problems start

Replaces the broader term 'trouble' with a more concrete noun

difficulties emerge

Implies a more gradual or visible onset of complications

complications ensue

Higher formality, suggesting that problems follow as a direct result of a previous action

friction develops

Specific to interpersonal or social conflicts rather than general misfortune

conflict takes root

Suggests a more permanent or deep-seated beginning of a struggle

the situation deteriorates

Focuses on the decline of an existing state rather than just the start of trouble

adversity strikes

More dramatic and sudden, often implying external or environmental challenges

setbacks occur

Focuses on delays or obstacles in a planned process or project

things go south

An informal, idiomatic expression for a situation turning bad

FAQs

How do I use "trouble begins" in a sentence?

You can use it to pinpoint a specific cause or moment of change, for example: "The project was going well, but that is where the "trouble begins"."

What can I say instead of "trouble begins"?

Depending on the context, you can use more formal phrases like "issues arise", "problems start", or "complications ensue".

Is "trouble begins" a complete sentence?

It can function as a short, punchy independent clause in narrative writing, but it is more commonly used as the main clause following a relative pronoun, such as in "that is where the "trouble begins"."

What is the difference between "trouble begins" and "trouble began"?

The difference is tense: "trouble begins" is in the present tense, often used for summarizing plots or describing recurring patterns, while "trouble began" is used for specific past events.