I started to have

USAGE SUMMARY

"I started to have" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you began to experience something, either physically or emotionally. For example, "I started to have a feeling of dread when I saw how angry he was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I started to have doubts.

The New York Times

I started to have doubts myself.

The New York Times

"I started to have anxiety attacks.

The Guardian

I started to have some difficulty sleeping.

The New York Times

A week later I started to have reservations.

The New York Times

"I started to have him show more vulnerability," he said.

The New York Times

"I think I started to have feelings," Mr. Wolf said.

The New York Times

"I started to have the opportunity to travel," she said.

The New York Times

But after a while, I started to have doubts.

The Guardian - Film

But I started to have moral questions about investigative journalism.

The Guardian - Film

About 20 minutes later I started to have the backache.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context to ensure "I started to have" aligns with the intended tone. For formal writing, you might prefer "I began to experience".

Common error

Avoid overusing "I started to have" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "I began to experience" or "I commenced to notice" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started to have" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement or beginning of an experience, sensation, or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable phrase for expressing the initiation of something. Examples show its use in describing feelings, doubts, and physical sensations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I started to have" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express the beginning of an experience or feeling. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread applicability. While its register is generally neutral, more formal contexts might benefit from alternative phrasing. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, this phrase serves the purpose of informing about personal changes or the onset of specific states. Therefore, use "I started to have" with confidence, but be mindful of the context to ensure the most appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I started experiencing

A direct synonym, focusing on the act of experiencing something from the beginning.

I began to experience

This phrase replaces "started" with "began" and "have" with "experience", offering a more formal tone while retaining the meaning of the onset of something.

I was starting to get

An informal way to express the beginning of an experience or feeling.

I commenced to feel

Using "commenced" and "feel" provides a more sophisticated and slightly more distanced way of describing the beginning of an emotional or physical sensation.

I found myself developing

This alternative emphasizes the gradual development of something, rather than a sudden start.

I became aware of

Shifts the focus to awareness, highlighting the moment when the speaker realized something was beginning.

I noticed the onset of

This phrase is more clinical and detached, suitable for describing the start of a medical condition or other objective phenomenon.

I recognized the beginning of

Focuses on the act of recognizing that something is starting, adding a layer of cognitive awareness.

I sensed the emergence of

Emphasizes the subtle and gradual appearance of something, often used for abstract concepts or feelings.

I detected the first signs of

This emphasizes the initial, often subtle, indicators that something is starting.

FAQs

What does "I started to have" mean?

The phrase "I started to have" indicates the beginning of an experience, feeling, or sensation. It implies the commencement of something that was not present before.

What can I say instead of "I started to have"?

You can use alternatives like "I began to experience", "I commenced to feel", or "I started experiencing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I started to had"?

No, "I started to had" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I started to have", where "have" is the infinitive form of the verb.

How to use "I started to have" in a sentence?

You can use "I started to have" to describe the onset of feelings, experiences, or sensations. For example, "I started to have doubts about the project" or "I started to have a headache after staring at the screen for too long."