war began

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "war began" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the start of a conflict or military engagement, often in historical or narrative contexts. Example: "The war began in 1914, marking a significant turning point in global history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then the war began.

The Guardian

Southern states seceded; war began.

The New York Times - Arts

Two months later, the Korean War began.

The New York Times - Sports

The war began on August 4th.

The New Yorker

After the Korean War began, she relented.

The New York Times

They were children when the war began.

The New York Times

Another war began to look increasingly unlikely.

The Economist

Then the Second World War began.

The New Yorker

The war began on January 16 , 1991

The New Yorker

The Korean War began the next year.

The Economist

But then the war began.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "war began", ensure the context clearly defines which war is being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Provide specific dates or events if necessary.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "the war was begun", which is less direct and less common than the active voice "war began".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "war began" primarily functions as a concise way to indicate the commencement of a military conflict. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "war began" is a grammatically correct and highly prevalent expression used to denote the start of armed conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Its frequency is high across various sources, particularly in news and media. While it maintains a neutral tone, its application can extend to formal academic and scientific contexts. Alternative phrases like "conflict commenced" or "hostilities erupted" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis. When employing this phrase, clarity in specifying the war is crucial. Avoiding the passive voice enhances the directness and impact of the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

warfare started

A direct synonym using a different form of "war".

conflict commenced

Uses a more formal term for "war" and a synonym for "began".

hostilities erupted

Replaces "war" with "hostilities" and uses a more forceful verb.

military action began

Specifies that the beginning was a military one.

fighting broke out

Focuses on the action of fighting, indicating the start of conflict.

the war was triggered

Focuses on the event that caused the war to start.

battle initiated

Emphasizes a specific battle as the start of a larger conflict.

the war got underway

An idiomatic way of saying the war started.

the conflict unfolded

Emphasizes the gradual reveal and development of a conflict.

combat ensued

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying fighting started.

FAQs

What is another way to say "war began"?

Alternatives include phrases like "conflict commenced", "hostilities erupted", or "fighting broke out", depending on the desired nuance and formality.

How do I use "war began" in a sentence?

You can use it to mark the commencement of a military conflict. For example, "The Second World War began in 1939." The phrase indicates the start of a sustained period of conflict.

Is it better to say "war began" or "war started"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "war began" often carries a slightly more formal or historical tone compared to "war started", which is more colloquial.

What is the difference between "war began" and "war is beginning"?

"War began" indicates a past event, the start of a war, while "war is beginning" suggests a war is in the process of starting or is about to start.