I started like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started like" is not correct and feels incomplete in written English.
It can be used when beginning to describe an experience or action, but it typically requires additional context to clarify what you started like. Example: "I started like everyone else, unsure of what to expect."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Come on, I started like seven months ago.

The New York Times

In fact, I'm thinking of doing an article on all the things that everyone thinks I started: I started like roasted garlic and all that.

The New York Times - Food

I couldn't decide whether he was mortified at the memory of the Goliath whom he slew or whether, decades on, he still felt the secret surge of that power, and I started, like a teacher, to take a roll call of all the kids in his work.

The New Yorker

"When I was nine years old my dad bought me a go-kart and we went to our local circuit, PFI near Fulbeck and that was basically how I started, like most people do," he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

BBC

"I started like most of us would do switching between apps, so I switched from my email app to my calendar, I check my availability, I note that down, and I went back into my mail app — it was super painful!

TechCrunch

So I started like making bits of samples for that.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I was very young when I started liking football.

The Guardian

Now is that why I started liking snow?

The New York Times

Soon, however, "I started liking it, when I started winning," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't know when I started liking it — in high school, I thought it sounded effete and dumb.

The New Yorker

"But I started liking girls," he said in a recent interview, with a wistful chuckle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "I started like" without completing the comparison. Instead, clarify what you are comparing your beginning to, for example, "I started like most beginners, with many questions."

Common error

Ensure you finish the thought when using "I started". Phrases like "I started like" often leave the listener or reader expecting a comparison that never comes. Always specify what you are comparing your beginning to in order to be correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started like" functions as an introductory phrase that sets up a comparison. However, it is incomplete without specifying what the start is being compared to. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's often used informally but can lead to grammatical ambiguity if not properly contextualized.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I started like" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incomplete and potentially misleading without further context. It functions as an introductory comparison, but requires a clear specification of what the beginning is being likened to. Though found in news and media contexts, its incomplete nature suggests a more informal register. To ensure clarity and correctness, it's best to use alternative phrases such as "I began as" or complete the comparison to clearly express the intended meaning. Failing to do so may lead to ambiguity and grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began similarly to

Replaces "started" with "began" and adds "similarly to" to explicitly indicate a comparison, improving grammatical correctness.

I initiated as

Uses "initiated" instead of "started" to convey a formal beginning, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

I commenced in a manner akin to

Offers a more formal and descriptive way to express how something started, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

I got my start in a way that resembles

Emphasizes the beginning of a career or activity while drawing a comparison.

My introduction was similar to

Focuses on the introductory phase and draws a parallel to something else.

I set out in a fashion similar to

Highlights the initial approach or method used, while indicating a resemblance.

I took the first steps in a comparable style to

Underscores the initial actions taken and their similarity to another approach.

I embarked in a way that mirrors

Conveys the idea of beginning a journey or project, while showing a reflection or similarity.

I originated in a style echoing

Focuses on the origin of something and its resemblance to something else.

I launched in a comparable method to

Emphasizes the act of launching or starting something, while drawing a comparison.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "I started like"?

To correct "I started like", complete the comparison by adding what your beginning was similar to. For instance, "I started like everyone else, with no experience" or "I started like a novice, making many mistakes."

What's a more grammatically sound way to express how I began something?

Instead of "I started like", use phrases such as "I began as", "I initiated with", or "My starting point was similar to". These options offer better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "I started as" a better alternative to "I started like"?

Yes, "I started as" is a more direct and grammatically correct alternative. It clearly states the initial role or state. Examples are: "I started as a trainee" or "I started as an intern".

When is it acceptable to use a phrase similar to "I started like"?

It is acceptable if you complete the comparison immediately after the phrase. For example, "I started just "like that"", followed by a specific action or explanation, ensuring the context is clear and grammatically correct.