was begun

USAGE SUMMARY

"was begun" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb "begin," indicating that something started or commenced in the past. An example of using "was begun" in a sentence could be: "The construction of the bridge was begun in 2015 and was finally completed in 2018."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Work was begun in 1421.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was begun in 1976.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Additional testing was begun.

The New York Times

A script was begun.

The Guardian - Film

A television service was begun in 1977.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shoe manufacturing was begun in 1812.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tells when work was begun, etc.

The New Yorker

A derivatives market was begun in 1998.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first motorway was begun in 1967.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The naval arsenal was begun in 1508.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An internal inquiry was begun.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain a consistent tense throughout your writing when using "was begun" to avoid confusing the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "was begun" when an active voice construction is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "The experiment "was begun" by the scientists", consider "The scientists began the experiment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was begun" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action or process was initiated in the past. This construction is commonly used when the subject receiving the action is more important than the actor, which is consistent with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

24%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was begun" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating that an action or process was initiated in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is "very common", appearing across diverse contexts, including scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, be mindful of whether an active or passive construction better suits your purpose. Alternative phrasing, like "was started" or "was initiated", can add nuance to your expression. Keep in mind that consistency in tense is essential for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was started

Common and straightforward synonym for "was begun".

was initiated

Emphasizes the act of starting something, often with a formal or planned approach.

commenced

Formal synonym, indicating a more official start.

was launched

Suggests a more public or significant start.

was established

Focuses on setting something up on a firm or permanent basis.

was instituted

Implies the establishment of a rule, law, or system.

was created

Highlights the act of bringing something new into existence.

was set in motion

Suggests a process has been initiated and is now underway.

was triggered

Indicates that something was started as a result of a specific event.

was underway

Emphasizes that an action or process is in progress.

FAQs

How can I use "was begun" in a sentence?

"Was begun" indicates the start of an action or process in the past, using passive voice. Example: "The construction of the new library "was begun" last year".

What are some alternatives to saying "was begun"?

Alternatives include "was started", "was initiated", or "commenced", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was begun"?

While "was begun" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, consider if active voice might be more direct. For example, instead of "The project "was begun" by the team", you could say "The team began the project".

What's the difference between "was begun" and "began"?

"Began" is the simple past tense (active voice), while "was begun" is past passive. "The meeting began at 9 AM" versus "The meeting "was begun" at 9 AM" (often implying someone or something initiated it).