I started to run

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started to run" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that you began in the past, specifically the act of running. Example: "When I heard the alarm, I started to run towards the exit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

I started to run.

The New York Times

I started to run, to escape.

The New York Times

"I started to run out of music".

The New York Times - Sports

So I started to run in common with everybody else.

The Guardian

"I didn't realize it until I started to run for office," he said.

The New York Times

"But in high school when I started to run, something just turned on in me.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Although it is when I try and express this that I start to run into trouble.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Adrenaline kicks in and I start to run across Broadway and down Fulton, chased by the debris of the collapsing South Tower.

The Guardian

I start to run through the likely scenarios.

Vice

I start to run through the event over and over again in my head, pulling all of it apart into its component parts and forces.

Vice

If it starts to run well, I might [bring it to Singapore].

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by sometimes using alternatives like "I began running" or "I took off running" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "I start to run" to describe a past event; it's a simple present tense typically used for habits or scheduled events. Use "I started to run" for a completed action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started to run" functions as a declarative statement describing the initiation of an action. The verb "started" indicates the beginning of the action "to run". Ludwig confirms this usage is correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I started to run" is a grammatically sound and easily understood way to describe the commencement of the action of running. As Ludwig underlines, it's deemed correct and appears in various reliable sources, predominantly in the categories of News & Media, Sports, and Lifestyle. While there are more formal alternatives like "I began running", "I started to run" maintains a neutral register suitable for both personal narratives and journalistic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to a past event and not a habitual action. Remember to vary your language by using alternative structures like "I took off running" or "I broke into a run" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began running

Replaces "started to" with the synonym "began", slightly more formal.

I commenced running

Uses "commenced" instead of "started", increasing formality.

I took off running

Emphasizes the sudden initiation of running.

I set off at a run

Indicates the beginning of a journey by running.

I broke into a run

Suggests a transition from walking or standing to running.

I initiated a run

More formal and less common way to express starting to run.

I got into running

Indicates becoming involved or interested in the activity of running over time.

I was off and running

Idiomatic expression suggesting a quick and successful start.

I'm running

Present continuous form, implying the action is already underway after starting.

I have started running

Uses the present perfect tense to emphasize the completion of starting the activity, but can imply that the action is still happening or relevant to now.

FAQs

What does "I started to run" mean?

It means that you began the act of running at some point in the past. It indicates the initiation of the action.

Is there a more formal way to say "I started to run"?

Yes, you could say "I began running" or "I commenced running". These alternatives are more formal than "I started to run".

Can I use "I start to run" instead of "I started to run"?

No, "I start to run" is in the present tense and typically describes a habitual action. "I started to run" is in the past tense and describes a specific event that happened in the past.

What's the difference between "I started to run" and "I began running"?

The difference is subtle. Both phrases mean essentially the same thing, but "I began running" may be perceived as slightly more formal than "I started to run".