I started to read

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started to read" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the beginning of the action of reading something, typically followed by what you were reading. Example: "I started to read the book last night, but I fell asleep after a few chapters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I started to read.

The New York Times - Magazine

I started to read them again.

The Guardian - Film

I started to read the labels.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I started to read it to him.

The Guardian

"I started to read the book, but it was too hard," she told me.

The New Yorker

The moment I started to read the poems I was transfixed.

Independent

That evening after the mandatory listening to "The Lone Ranger," I started to read.

University of California, Berkeley

I started to read it, and I couldn't stop - I went through it in one day.

The Guardian - Film

"Then I started to go to the library, and I started to read about it.

The New York Times

When I was about seven or eight years old, I started to read Chekhov's funny stories.

The Guardian - Books

"But when I started to read the comments, it was quite unsettling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started to read" to clearly indicate the moment you began engaging with written material. It's simple and direct.

Common error

Avoid constructions like "Reading was started by me". While grammatically correct, it sounds awkward and less natural than "I started to read".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started to read" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it denotes the beginning of engaging with a text, either a book, a document, or other written material.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

22%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I started to read" is a straightforward and versatile expression indicating the commencement of reading. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Its prevalence across diverse sources like news articles, academic papers, and personal narratives highlights its adaptability and broad applicability. While alternatives such as "I began to read" exist, "I started to read" remains a common and easily understood way to communicate the beginning of a reading experience. Pay attention to the context to avoid unnecessary passive constructions and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began to read

Uses a different verb ("began" instead of "started") to convey the same meaning of initiating the act of reading.

I commenced reading

Employs a more formal verb ("commenced") to express the beginning of the reading activity.

I picked up a book and began reading

Adds context of picking up a book before starting to read, specifying action more precisely.

I turned to the first page and started reading

Highlights turning to the first page as part of the action of starting to read.

I dove into reading

Uses a metaphorical expression ("dove into") to indicate starting to read with enthusiasm.

Reading became my focus

Focuses on the act of reading becoming central.

I immersed myself in reading

Emphasizes complete involvement with the reading experience.

I got lost in a book

Suggests that the reading was captivating and absorbing.

My reading journey began

Highlights the start of a journey through reading.

I took up reading

Emphasizes the initiation of reading as an activity or habit.

FAQs

What does "I started to read" mean?

The phrase "I started to read" indicates the beginning of the act of reading something. It signifies the initiation of engaging with written material.

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

You can use alternatives like "I began to read", "I commenced reading", or "I took up reading" depending on the context.

Is "I started reading" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I started reading" is grammatically correct and is a slightly more concise way of saying "I started to read". Both are acceptable.

What's the difference between "I started to read" and "I continued to read"?

"I started to read" indicates the beginning of the reading activity, while "I continued to read" implies that the reading was already in progress and was then resumed or sustained.