I started to become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started to become" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a gradual change or transformation that you began to experience. Example: "Over the years, I started to become more confident in my public speaking abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That was when I started to become [politically] conscious".

The Guardian - Arts

And that was when I started to become myself".

The New York Times - Arts

And then I started to become irritated, as you might with any pushy relative who overstayed.

The New York Times

But then I started to become interested in the form and what was possible.

The Guardian - Film

"As I started to become known, well you learn a way of behaving.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

After a while I started to become very self-conscious about it.

The Guardian - Film

After that I started to become more interested in Jewish religion".

The New York Times

"I was just collecting myself," he said, "and I started to become angry".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Slowly the doubt goes and I start to become who I am.

The Guardian - Sport

Once I'm back home, I'll really value what I have, until I start to become complacent – then I'll go off around the world again.

Independent

For a few seconds I can still see the bright spot even through the thin layer, but as that fades, I start to become aware of the column of smoke tracing the shuttle's ascent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started to become" to describe a gradual change in your state, feelings, or characteristics. It's best when the change isn't sudden, but occurs over a period of time.

Common error

Avoid using "I started to become" excessively in your writing. Vary your sentence structure by employing alternative expressions like "I began to feel", "I grew into", or "I developed into" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started to become" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of a gradual change or transformation. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across various contexts to describe developing states or feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I started to become" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the beginning of a gradual change or transformation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's widely used in diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. When writing, remember to use this phrase to illustrate a gradual transition and consider alternative phrases to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I started transforming

Omits 'to become', simplifying the expression while maintaining the core meaning.

I started to evolve into

Emphasizes a natural and progressive development.

I gradually turned into

Focuses on the gradual aspect of the change with the word "gradually".

I began to transform into

Replaces "started" with "began" and "become" with "transform", emphasizing a more significant change.

I was developing into

Emphasizes the ongoing process of development.

I slowly grew into

Highlights a slow and natural progression.

I commenced evolving into

Uses "commenced" and "evolving" to suggest a more formal and gradual development.

I found myself becoming

Adds a sense of discovery or realization about the change.

I began to morph into

Suggests a more dramatic or unexpected transformation.

I began morphing

Suggests a transformation, replacing the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "I started to become" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to describe a gradual change or development. For instance, "After taking the course, "I started to become" more confident in my abilities."

What are some alternatives to "I started to become"?

You can use alternatives like "I began to feel", "I grew into", or "I developed into" depending on the context. For example, instead of ""I started to become" more interested in history", you could say "I grew more interested in history".

Is "I started becoming" grammatically correct, or should I use "I started to become"?

Both "I started becoming" and ""I started to become"" are grammatically correct, but "I started becoming" can sometimes sound slightly more informal. The choice depends on the desired tone and style of your writing.

What's the difference between "I started to become" and "I became"?

""I started to become"" implies a process or a gradual change, while "I became" suggests a completed transformation. For example, ""I started to become" more aware of environmental issues" suggests a gradual increase in awareness, whereas "I became aware of environmental issues" implies a specific moment of realization.