we began

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we began" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the start of an action or process in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "After much planning and preparation, we began the project with enthusiasm and determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's how we began".

The New York Times

We began to drowse.

The New Yorker

We began to chat.

The New York Times - Magazine

We began to grapple.

The New Yorker

We began with honey.

The New Yorker

We began to worry.

The New York Times

We began with several starters.

The New York Times

Then, we began our diagnoses.

The New Yorker

We began with the evaluations.

The New York Times

"We began to argue less.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

And so we began.

University of Pennsylvania

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing reports, “we began” is useful to introduce methodological steps and mark the start of your activities.

Common error

Avoid shifting to present or future tenses after using "we began". Maintain consistency with past tense verbs to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we began" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action or state. It's used to narrate past events, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we began" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote the start of an action, process, or narrative. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writing. While it maintains a neutral register, alternatives like "we commenced" can offer a more formal tone, depending on the specific requirements of your writing. Remember to maintain consistent tense usage and clearly define the context to effectively utilize "we began" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we started

Emphasizes the commencement of an action or activity, similar to "we began", but with a more informal tone.

we commenced

Indicates a formal beginning, akin to "we began", but suitable for more serious or official contexts.

we initiated

Highlights the launch or introduction of a project or process, comparable to "we began", but with a focus on initiation.

we undertook

Suggests the start of a challenging or significant endeavor, similar to "we began", but with an emphasis on undertaking.

we launched

Implies the start of a product, campaign, or initiative, similar to "we began", but with a specific focus on launching.

we set about

Indicates the commencement of a task or activity with determination, akin to "we began", but with a proactive nuance.

we embarked on

Signifies the beginning of a journey or adventure, similar to "we began", but with an emphasis on embarking.

we proceeded to

Suggests moving forward to the next stage or action, comparable to "we began", but with a focus on progression.

we turned to

Implies the start of a new direction or focus, akin to "we began", but with an emphasis on changing direction.

we got underway

Indicates the commencement of a voyage or project, similar to "we began", but with a specific focus on getting underway.

FAQs

How can I use "we began" in a sentence?

You can use "we began" to indicate the start of an action or process in the past. For example, "We began the project last week" or "We began to understand the problem after the initial analysis".

What's a more formal alternative to "we began"?

A more formal alternative to "we began" is "we commenced". This phrase is suitable for official reports or academic papers.

Which is correct, "we began" or "we begin"?

"We began" is the past tense, indicating something started in the past, while "we begin" is the present tense, indicating something starting now. Choose the form that matches the timing of the action.

What can I say instead of "we began" to show a gradual start?

To show a gradual start, you can use phrases like "we started gradually" or "we progressed to", depending on the context.