I started to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started to know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the beginning of awareness or understanding about something. Example: "As I delved deeper into the subject, I started to know more about the complexities involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But after a while I stopped doing that, because I started to know where I was.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In this job, I started to know which columns would land like a grenade, and I'm glad to have stirred things up.

The New York Times

"It was chiefly during these lovely skiing holidays," Mary later wrote, "that I started to know my mother more as a person than a deity".

The Guardian - Books

"When I saw Mac, I said, 'Well, he's O.K.' But when I started to know him and talk to him, I said, 'This kid's going to be good, because he wants to get better, he wants to learn.' He was 21 or 22, but he was ready to go and he was asking questions: 'What do I need to do to get better?' Something the other guy never had.

The New York Times - Sports

I started to know not only the building, but also the detailed structures, how they looked.

Los Angeles Times

As I started to know more of the language, I started to have more friends.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And when I know the names, I start to know the people.

The Guardian - Books

I start to know what Bowles meant about certain repetitive sounds being "the culmination of beauty," a thing capable of thrusting a person into "a non-thinking state"—that blissful, elusive nowhere.

The New Yorker

I even started to know her schedule.

Vice

"I feel I am starting to know my game a lot better now than I did probably four or five years ago".

BBC

"I've enjoyed it and I'm starting to know everyone and the way Oscar works.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started to know" to describe a gradual increase in understanding or familiarity, especially when the process is ongoing or recently initiated.

Common error

Avoid using "I started to know" in contexts where a more direct verb like "realized" or "understood" would be more concise and impactful. Overuse can make your writing sound less confident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started to know" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating the commencement of a cognitive process. It suggests the initiation of understanding or familiarity. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I started to know" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the commencement of understanding or familiarity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears frequently in news media, science, and more formal business contexts. While versatile, it's best used to describe a gradual increase in knowledge, and writers should be mindful of avoiding overuse, opting for more direct verbs when appropriate. Related phrases include "I began to realize" and "I came to understand", each offering a slightly different nuance. With a high expert rating and a wealth of authoritative sources, this phrase is a reliable choice for expressing the start of a cognitive process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began to realize

Focuses on the gradual understanding of a fact or situation.

I came to understand

Emphasizes the process of achieving comprehension over time.

I grew to appreciate

Highlights the development of fondness or admiration alongside understanding.

I developed an awareness of

Stresses the emergence of consciousness or recognition of something.

I gained insight into

Implies a deeper, more profound understanding.

I became familiar with

Suggests getting acquainted with something or someone.

I started to comprehend

Focuses specifically on the mental process of understanding.

I discerned

Implies perceiving or recognizing something subtle.

I perceived

Suggests becoming aware through the senses or intuition.

I recognized

Emphasizes the act of identifying something previously unknown or unclear.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "I began to realize", "I came to understand", or "I grew to appreciate depending on the context".

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

Yes, the phrase "I started to know" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express the beginning of understanding or familiarity with something.

How do I use "I started to know" in a sentence?

Use "I started to know" to describe a gradual process of gaining knowledge or understanding, as in, "As I spent more time in the city, "I started to know" its hidden corners".

What is the difference between "I started to know" and "I began to know"?

While both phrases are similar, "I began to know" often implies a more formal or deliberate start to understanding, whereas ""I started to know"" can suggest a more casual or incidental process.