Definition & Meaning of "inchoative aspect"

What is the "inchoative aspect"?

Inchoative aspect is a grammatical feature that describes the beginning or emergence of a state or action. It indicates a change of state, focusing on the process of something starting or coming into existence rather than its completion. For example, in the sentence "She began to cry," where "began" marks the onset of the action. Understanding inchoative aspect helps convey the idea of change over time, emphasizing the initial stages of actions or states.