I plan to start doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I plan to start doing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an intention to begin a specific activity or task in the future. Example: "I plan to start doing yoga every morning to improve my flexibility and overall health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Tuesday, Airbnb sent me a statement saying that it plans to start doing just that.

The New York Times

That is precisely what Republicans plan to start doing this week.

The New York Times

China is planning to start doing a survey next year.

The New York Times - Science

The United States and Japan fingerprint all foreigners on arrival; South Korea plans to start doing so in January.

The New York Times

McEwen says the drilling has been sparse and rarely reached below 1,000 feet; he's convinced you have to go down 2,000 feet, which he plans to start doing this month.

Forbes

Researchers found that 37percentt of the companies surveyed used social networking sites to prescreen candidates, and 11percentt said that they planned to start doing so in the future.

HuffPost

If the patient had not yet taken a particular step, but was planning to start doing it in the near future, a value of 0.5 points was assigned.

BMC Family Practice

Exactly the same proportions were true for the category "I do not recommend physical activity, but plan to start doing so".

BMC Public Health

Ho Wei-tak, 65, a retired carpenter happily picking up brochures about tanks and fighter jets, said he had never paid much attention to politics and did not plan to start doing so.

The New York Times

Another reason, the report says, is that Albany's treatment plants do not disinfect sewage — although there is a plan to start doing so by 2013 — leaving that section of the Hudson "chronically sewage-laden".

The New York Times

Very few professionals (0.3% of the nurses and none physicians) reported not recommending physical activity at all and having no plan to start doing so.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I plan to start doing", ensure the activity is clearly defined and the plan is feasible. Overly ambitious plans can sound unrealistic.

Common error

Avoid using "I plan to start doing" without a specific action following. Vague statements reduce the impact and clarity of your intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I plan to start doing" functions as an expression of future intention. It indicates a deliberate decision to begin a specific action or activity. This is supported by Ludwig's examples which shows its application in various contexts, reinforcing its role as a declarative statement about future endeavors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I plan to start doing" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression used to convey future intentions. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, showcasing its versatility. While it's generally considered neutral in register, remember to be specific about the planned action to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives like "I intend to begin" for formal settings or "I'm going to start doing" for casual conversations. Being mindful of these nuances ensures effective communication in any context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am going to start doing

Uses a more direct and common construction to express future intention, slightly less formal than the original.

I am planning to start

Shifts the emphasis to the planning stage, using the continuous tense of "plan" to highlight the ongoing process.

I intend to begin

Replaces "plan" with "intend" and "start doing" with "begin", altering the level of formality slightly.

I aim to commence

Substitutes "plan" and "start doing" with more formal synonyms "aim" and "commence", resulting in a more formal tone.

I propose to initiate

Replaces "plan" with "propose" and "start doing" with "initiate", giving a more official or suggestive tone.

I contemplate starting

Emphasizes consideration before acting, replacing "plan" with "contemplate" for a more thoughtful nuance.

I foresee beginning

Uses "foresee" to suggest the action is likely to happen based on current conditions or expectations, changing the sense of control.

I expect to undertake

Indicates an anticipation or expectation to begin the activity, substituting with "undertake" for a more formal feel.

I have designs on starting

Expresses a determined intention to start, using "designs on" to convey ambition or a strategic approach.

I envision commencing

Implies a mental image or anticipation of beginning something, using "envision" to emphasize the conceptual aspect.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I plan to start doing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I intend to begin" or "I aim to commence", which offer a more elevated and professional tone.

What's a more casual alternative to "I plan to start doing"?

A more casual alternative could be "I am going to start doing", which is direct and commonly used in everyday conversation.

Is it better to say "I am planning to start" or "I plan to start doing"?

Both "I am planning to start" and "I plan to start doing" are grammatically correct. The first emphasizes the planning stage, while the second focuses on the action of starting the activity. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "I contemplate starting" differ from "I plan to start doing"?

"I contemplate starting" suggests a more thoughtful or hesitant approach compared to "I plan to start doing", which implies a more decided and proactive intention.