try beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting someone to start or initiate an action or process. Example: "If you're struggling with the project, try beginning with a simple outline to organize your thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Just try beginning every tweet with, "I see what you're getting at, but don't you think..."...

The Guardian

What does he think about the New York institution with the world-class art collection that will try, beginning June 29, to lure aesthetes and tourists to his gritty neighborhood?

The New York Times

So try beginning by being more mature and responsible.

WikiHow

Try beginning with an episode you all know very well.

WikiHow

Try beginning the conversation with something like, I know I broke your trust with my actions.

WikiHow

Come up with a story to RP. Try beginning with an episode you all know very well.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

To go on trial: Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, the first civilian Guantánamo detainee to be tried, beginning today in a Manhattan federal court.

The New Yorker

When the ruling Montagnards instituted the Reign of Terror, 21 of the arrested Girondins were tried, beginning on October 24, 1793, and were guillotined on October 31.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We enjoyed every appetizer we tried, beginning with the calamari — slender rings deep-fried with absolutely no residue of oil, perfect for dipping in sweet-and-sour sauce.

The New York Times

A few key players were tried beginning in 1980, when Jiang Qing, Mao Zedong's wife, and other members of the Gang of Four received lengthy sentences.

The New York Times

"I knew I wanted to write in Twitter-sized units and had tried beginning the story on a yellow legal pad, which is what I generally use.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice or instructions, use "try beginning" to gently suggest a starting point without being overly prescriptive. For instance, "If you're feeling overwhelmed, try beginning with the simplest task".

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing "try beginning" as it can sound informal or tentative. Instead, opt for more direct alternatives like "initiate" or "commence" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try beginning" functions as a suggestion or recommendation for initiating an action. As noted by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct way to propose a starting point. Examples show its use in offering advice, like ""try beginning" the conversation with something like..."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try beginning" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that suggests initiating an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for offering guidance, though it leans towards informal or neutral contexts. While commonly found in wikis and news media, it's best to consider more formal alternatives like "initiate" or "commence" in professional or academic writing. When advising someone, using "try beginning" can be a gentle way to suggest a starting point. Be mindful of the context to ensure your tone matches the audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to start

Replaces "try" with "attempt" and "beginning" with "start", emphasizing the effort to commence.

consider starting

Suggests thinking about initiating, replacing "try" with "consider" for a less forceful tone.

start by attempting

Inverts the structure, focusing on the act of starting with an attempt.

begin by trying

Reverses the order of "try" and "begin", keeping the core meaning intact.

initiate by trying

Substitutes "beginning" with "initiate", highlighting the formal action of starting.

make an attempt to begin

Adds a more explicit expression of effort before starting.

give starting a try

Frames the action as an experiment or test.

take the first step by trying

Emphasizes the initial action in a process through trying.

start with an attempt

Highlights starting with an attempt, emphasizing the tentative nature.

explore initiating

Suggests exploring the initiation phase, changing the tone to investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "try beginning" in a sentence?

You can use "try beginning" to suggest a starting point for an activity or process. For example, "If you're stuck on the introduction, "try beginning" with the conclusion and working backward".

What are some alternatives to "try beginning"?

Alternatives include "consider starting", "attempt to start", or "begin by trying" depending on the context.

Is "try beginning" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "try beginning" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider using more direct phrases like "initiate" or "commence."

What is the difference between "try beginning" and "start beginning"?

"Try beginning" suggests an experimental approach to starting something, while "start beginning" is redundant. It's better to use just "start" or "try starting".