I started doing the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started doing the same" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you began to engage in a similar action or behavior as someone else. Example: "After seeing how effective her study methods were, I started doing the same to improve my grades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She always jokes that she's the 'Godmother of Cast Party' because I started doing the same thing, except with a cover charge!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And I've started doing the same thing".

Huffington Post

And I've even noticed that Deliveroo started doing the same thing when they have multiple orders for the same restaurant.

TechCrunch

Sue had no idea why I was doing this, but she started doing the same thing.

Huffington Post

I got him back here and he started doing the same thing.

The Guardian - Music

I would be more than thrilled if other conferences started doing the same.

The Guardian - Opinion

Roberto Martinez has started doing the same at Goodison.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was all funny for a while, until the rest of us started doing the same thing".

The New York Times

Then, anonymous men and women, groups of friends, workmates, students, families and young children started doing the same.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Suddenly, well-heeled families started doing the same thing chief executives, athletes and music stars had been doing for decades: renting their own planes.

The New York Times

Korine: [to Franco] You probably figured it out when we started doing the same scene in different locations over and over again, right?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started doing the same" when you want to clearly indicate that you adopted a behavior or action similar to someone else, especially in response to their example.

Common error

Avoid using "I started doing the same" without clearly specifying what the 'same' refers to. Ensure the context makes it obvious what action or behavior you are mirroring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started doing the same" functions as a declarative statement indicating the commencement of a similar action. It expresses the adoption of behavior or practice initiated by another party, as supported by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I started doing the same" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate the initiation of a similar action or behavior. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what "the same" refers to, and consider more formal alternatives like "I began to do likewise" for professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I did the same thing as well

Adds "as well" for slight emphasis.

I began to do likewise

Replaces "started" with "began" and uses "likewise" for a slightly more formal tone.

I followed suit

A more concise and idiomatic way of saying "I started doing the same".

I took the same approach

Focuses on the method or strategy being adopted.

I emulated that behavior

Highlights the act of imitating a specific behavior.

I mirrored their actions

Suggests a direct and precise imitation of someone's actions.

I adopted the same practice

Emphasizes the adoption of a specific practice or routine.

I too began to do that

Adds emphasis on the speaker also starting the action.

I replicated their method

Focuses on reproducing a specific method or process.

I took a similar course of action

Implies a strategic decision to follow a similar path.

FAQs

What's a simple substitute for "I started doing the same"?

A simple substitute is "I followed suit", which is a concise and commonly understood idiom.

How can I make "I started doing the same" sound more formal?

To sound more formal, consider saying "I began to do likewise". This substitute is more elevated in tone.

Is it always clear what "the same" refers to when I say "I started doing the same"?

Not always. Ensure the context makes it obvious what you're referring to. Otherwise, clarify with a more specific phrase like "I took the same approach".

What's the difference between "I started doing the same" and "I did the same thing"?

"I started doing the same" emphasizes the beginning of an action, while "I did the same thing" simply states that you performed the same action. The former implies initiation, the latter, completion.