I really started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I really started" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the beginning of an action or process, often to emphasize the sincerity or intensity of the initiation. Example: "I really started to appreciate classical music after attending that concert last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's when I really started cutting myself".

The New Yorker

"I really started hallucinating badly," she said.

The New Yorker

I really started going wild about then".

The Guardian - Music

That was when I really started working.

The Guardian - Arts

The summer I was fifteen, I really started searching.

The New Yorker

That was the moment I really started reading.

The New Yorker

"That's when I really started improving," she said.

The New York Times

"I really started doing sculpture there," he said.

The New Yorker

And that's when I really started having hard-core chores.

The New Yorker

Once school started, I really started focusing on business courses.

The New York Times

"I really started off the match sluggishly," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "I really started" with action verbs to clearly communicate the nature of the activity you commenced. For example: "I really started studying" or "I really started exercising".

Common error

Avoid using "I really started" with stative verbs that describe states of being rather than actions. For example, instead of "I really started knowing", use "I really began to know" or "I truly came to understand".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I really started" functions as an introductory clause that sets the stage for describing the commencement of an action or a change in state. It emphasizes the speaker's intention or the significance of the moment the action began. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is commonly used to describe a turning point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I really started" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to highlight the commencement of an action with emphasis or sincerity. As per Ludwig AI, it is widely employed across reputable sources, particularly in news and media. When writing, it's advisable to use it with action verbs rather than stative verbs. Remember that while similar phrases exist, "I really started" effectively conveys a genuine beginning. With neutral register, the contexts in which the expression can be used vary without sounding out of place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I genuinely began

Replaces "really" with "genuinely" to emphasize sincerity and "started" with "began" to offer a formal alternative.

I truly set about

Emphasizes a genuine commencement with purpose and direction.

I sincerely initiated

Replaces "really" and "started" with words that denote genuine intent and the beginning of something.

I earnestly commenced

Substitutes "really" and "started" with more formal synonyms, intensifying the sincerity and formality.

I decisively embarked on

Implies a firm and determined start to a journey or activity.

I resolutely got underway

Highlights a firm and unwavering start to a process or journey.

I seriously got into

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey a committed start.

I wholeheartedly took up

Suggests beginning an activity with full enthusiasm and dedication.

I earnestly set forth

Expresses a serious and determined start, often in a formal context.

I faithfully dedicated myself to

Conveys a committed beginning with a sense of loyalty or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "I really started" in a sentence?

Use "I really started" to describe the moment you earnestly began a particular activity or process. For example, "I really started to enjoy reading after joining the book club".

What phrases are similar to "I really started"?

Alternatives include "I genuinely began", "I earnestly commenced", or "I sincerely initiated", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "I really started to knew"?

No, "I really started to knew" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I really started to know".

What's the difference between "I started" and "I really started"?

"I started" simply indicates the beginning of an action. "I really started" emphasizes the sincerity, intensity, or significance of that beginning. The addition of "really" underscores the speaker's genuine commitment or the notable nature of the initiation.