I started lighting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started lighting" is not correct in standard English as it lacks clarity and context.
It could be used in a context where someone is beginning to light something, but it would typically need additional information to be clear. Example: "I started lighting the candles for the dinner party."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I started lighting candles.

Independent

"I started lighting the space to discover it," he tells me.

The Guardian

When I got home from the hospital, she was newly in hospice, and I started lighting candles every morning for her, burning through a box of tall white candles I had purchased for a retreat I never got to, because I had a heart attack instead.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Then he started lighting up a few joints.

The New York Times - Magazine

They started lighting bottle rockets and throwing them at Marv.

Vice

"When we start lighting the candles, I sometimes cry and feel bad," admitted Mathirupan.

Unicef

And none of this makes the slightest difference once the food starts lighting up your mouth.

The New York Times

After we killed our headlamps, the ground around us appeared to start lighting up.

Huffington Post

"I started feeling light-headed a lot and I had a couple of fainting episodes," he told me.

The New Yorker

"Last year, I started getting light-years better with that.

The New York Times - Sports

I was taken aback when I started "The Light in the Window," by Laurel Gross (Nov. 12), and dismayed when I finished it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "I started lighting", always specify what you are lighting to provide clarity. For example, "I started lighting the candles".

Common error

Avoid using "I started lighting" without specifying the object being lit. This can lead to confusion. Instead, provide context such as "I started lighting the fireplace" or "I started lighting the lanterns".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started lighting" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. However, Ludwig AI points out that it requires further context to be clear and grammatically sound, as demonstrated by the examples provided which clarify what is being lit.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I started lighting" is understandable, Ludwig AI suggests that it is grammatically questionable without specifying the object being lit. Its frequency is rare and typically appears in news and media contexts. For improved clarity, always include what you began to light, or consider using alternatives like "I began lighting" or "I commenced lighting" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began lighting

Uses a more formal synonym for 'started', maintaining the core meaning but with a slightly different tone.

I commenced lighting

Replaces 'started' with 'commenced', further increasing formality. The meaning remains the same.

I initiated lighting

Similar to 'commenced', but implies a more deliberate or planned beginning of the action.

I set about lighting

Indicates the start of an activity with a sense of purpose or intention.

I got around to lighting

Suggests that the action was previously delayed or postponed.

I undertook the lighting

Highlights the responsibility or task-oriented aspect of the action.

I proceeded to light

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the action as part of a process.

I went ahead and lit

Indicates a more casual or spontaneous decision to start lighting.

I took to lighting

Implies a habitual or enjoyable engagement with the act of lighting.

I turned to lighting

Suggests a shift in focus or a new activity undertaken.

FAQs

How can I make "I started lighting" more grammatically sound?

To improve the grammar, specify what you began to light. For example, "I started lighting the candles", "I started lighting the fire", or "I started lighting the stove" provide necessary context.

What are some alternative phrases for "I started lighting"?

Consider using alternatives like "I began lighting", "I commenced lighting", or "I initiated lighting" to add formality or clarity depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to say "I started lighting" without specifying an object?

While technically understandable in some contexts, it's generally better to specify the object. Saying "I started lighting" without context is vague and could be misinterpreted.

What's the difference between "I started lighting" and "I started to light"?

"I started lighting" implies a continuous action, while "I started to light" suggests the beginning of the action itself. "I started lighting the candles" means you began and continued to light them, whereas "I started to light the candles" means you just began the process of lighting them.