we have begun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have begun" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an action or process has started and is currently in progress. Example: "After much planning and preparation, we have begun the construction of the new community center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But we have begun.

The New York Times

We have begun rehearsals.

The Guardian

We have begun to change the culture.

The New York Times

And we have begun to make progress.

The Guardian

Let's finish what we have begun.

The Guardian

We have begun to freak out.

The New York Times

We have begun accepting applications for Fall 2018.

University of California, Berkeley

Recently we have begun to collect non-book format materials.

Columbia University

We have begun the process to find a replacement".

Independent

Lately, however, we have begun talking about rabbit holes incessantly.

The New Yorker

The change process we have begun is extremely difficult.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have begun" to clearly indicate the start of a process, project, or initiative. It's appropriate for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid shifting to the simple past tense without reason after using "we have begun". Maintain consistency with present perfect or continue with the implications of the initial start.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have begun" functions as a declarative statement indicating the initiation of an action or process. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is widely used across different contexts to announce that something has started.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we have begun" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote the start of an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s versatile enough for both formal and informal settings, spanning across news, scientific research, and academic discourse. While alternatives like "we have started" exist, "we have begun" often lends a slightly more formal tone. Remember to maintain tense consistency and avoid incorrect forms like "we begun". With its widespread applicability, mastering the use of "we have begun" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we've started

Uses a contraction and the word "started" instead of "begun", offering a slightly more informal tone.

we are starting

Uses the continuous tense to highlight the ongoing process of beginning.

we commenced

Replaces "begun" with the more formal term "commenced".

we've initiated

Substitutes "begun" with "initiated", suggesting a more deliberate start.

we are underway

Changes the structure to emphasize the ongoing nature of the activity.

we have launched

Implies a formal or public commencement of something.

we have set about

Suggests that focus has been put on a task.

we are in the process of starting

More verbose, emphasizing the process rather than the simple fact of starting.

we've embarked on

Replaces the phrase with an expression implying the start of a journey or adventure.

we've taken the first step

Emphasizes the initial action in a series of steps.

FAQs

How can I use "we have begun" in a sentence?

Use "we have begun" to indicate that a process, action, or project has started. For example, "We have begun the investigation" or "We have begun to implement the new policy".

What are some alternatives to "we have begun"?

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

What's the difference between "we have begun" and "we started"?

"We have begun" implies a more formal tone compared to the simpler phrase "we started". Both indicate the commencement of an action, but the former might be preferred in professional or academic settings.

Is it correct to say "we begun" instead of "we have begun"?

No, "we begun" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "we have begun", which uses the past participle form of the verb 'begin'.