was begun with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was begun with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the initiation of an action or process that started in the past. Example: "The project was begun with a comprehensive research phase to ensure all aspects were considered."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lucrative trade was begun with Britain and with the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The process was begun with the filing of a petition in the 141-seat Parliament signed by 86 lawmakers.

The New York Times

The program, called the Pan-Sahel Initiative, was begun with $7 million and focused on Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad.

The New York Times

Ashanti kept her streak alive by delivering new episodes of the soap opera that was begun with "Always on Time".

The New York Times - Arts

Velicka's goal was almost a solo effort, but it was begun with a long clearance from his goalkeeper Eduardas Kurskis.

The Guardian - Sport

Designed deliberately to be both catholic and evangelical, Gerhard's work represents the culmination of a tradition of Lutheran dogmatics that was begun with Philipp Melanchthon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The publication, which was begun with great fanfare as an iPad-only application, will later be introduced for smartphones that run Android.

The New York Times

In fact, it draws about 8,000 people annually and was begun with two small seed grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The New York Times

The initial collection, which led them into the remotest corners of Hungary, was begun with the intention of revitalizing Hungarian music.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That evening, a search was begun, with airplanes and a helicopter scouring the wild terrain on the Nevada-California border over which he had disappeared.

The New York Times

This project was begun with "Primitive Rebels" (1959) and shared with others, including George Rudé, with whom Hobsbawm collaborated on an elaboration, "Captain Swing" (1969).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was begun with", ensure the subject clearly indicates what initiated the action or process. For instance, "The project was begun with a thorough literature review."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "was begun with" when an active voice would be more direct and engaging. Instead of "The experiment was begun with the addition of the catalyst", consider "The scientists began the experiment by adding the catalyst."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was begun with" functions as a passive construction indicating the commencement or initiation of an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was begun with" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the starting point of an action or process. As Ludwig AI verifies, this phrase is frequently used across various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. While acceptable, writers should consider whether using the active voice (e.g., "began with") would provide a more direct and engaging tone. Understanding the proper context and alternatives ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started with

Uses the simpler and more common verb "started" instead of "begun", making it less formal.

initiated with

Emphasizes the act of formally starting something, often used in official or technical contexts.

commenced with

Replaces "was begun" with a more formal synonym "commenced", maintaining the passive voice and indicating a formal start.

was launched with

Suggests a more public or formal commencement, often used for projects or products.

originated with

Focuses on the point of origin, highlighting the initial source or cause.

was inaugurated with

Implies a ceremonial or official beginning, typically used for institutions or programs.

was pioneered with

Highlights the innovative nature of the beginning, suggesting a novel approach.

was predicated on

Emphasizes the foundation or basis upon which something was started.

stemmed from

Indicates that something arose or developed from a particular source or cause.

took off with

Suggests a dynamic and rapid start, often implying success or momentum.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was begun with" indicates the starting point of an action or process. For example, "The construction project "was begun with" a groundbreaking ceremony."

What are some alternatives to "was begun with"?

You can use alternatives like "started with", "initiated with", or "commenced with" depending on the context.

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

While "was begun with" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct. Consider rephrasing to use an active construction where appropriate.

What is the difference between "was begun with" and "began with"?

"Was begun with" uses passive voice, focusing on the action being done. "Began with" uses active voice, focusing on the actor performing the action. For example, "The meeting "was begun with" a welcome address" (passive) versus "The chairperson "began with" a welcome address" (active).