I started watching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started watching" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you began the activity of watching something, such as a show, movie, or event. Example: "I started watching the new series on Netflix last night and I can't stop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

WATCHING I started watching more television when I got an iPad 18 months ago.

The New York Times

I started watching ESPN at 11 a.m.

The New York Times - Sports

"I started watching very hard in January".

The New York Times

So that night I started watching.

The New Yorker

Then I started watching him.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, I started watching their body language.

The Guardian - Film

I started watching Giants games again a few years ago.

The New York Times - Sports

Then I started watching more of the 'Hamlet' films".

The New Yorker

I started watching Juventus toward the end of last season.

The New York Times

I started watching Letterman at the end of junior high.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I started watching it when David Tennant became the Doctor.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider context when choosing alternatives; "I began watching" can add formality, while "I got into watching" highlights developing interest.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence after using "I started watching". For example, instead of saying "I started watching and then I will go to bed", use "I started watching and then went to bed" to maintain past tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started watching" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, where "started" is the main verb indicating the commencement of an action, and "watching" serves as a gerund complementing the verb. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I started watching" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the beginning of a viewing activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase serves to introduce narratives, share experiences, or explain changes in viewing habits. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "I began to watch" may be preferable. When using the phrase, it's important to maintain consistent tense and avoid ambiguity. With its widespread usage and clear meaning, "I started watching" remains a reliable choice for expressing the initiation of viewing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began to watch

Uses 'began' instead of 'started', slightly more formal.

I commenced watching

Uses 'commenced', which is a more formal alternative to 'started'.

I initiated watching

Replaces 'started' with 'initiated', suggesting a deliberate beginning.

I took up watching

Emphasizes that watching has become a new habit or interest.

I got into watching

Suggests developing an interest in watching something.

I turned to watching

Implies watching became a way to spend time, possibly due to boredom or seeking distraction.

I found myself watching

Indicates a gradual or unintended start to watching.

I gave watching a try

Suggests an experimental or tentative start to watching.

I resolved to watch

Emphasizes a decision or intention to start watching.

I set about watching

Indicates a determined start to watching something, possibly to complete a task or objective.

FAQs

How can I use "I started watching" in a sentence?

You can use "I started watching" to indicate that you began viewing something. For example, "I started watching the new series on Netflix last night".

What can I say instead of "I started watching"?

You can use alternatives like "I began to watch", "I commenced watching", or "I got into watching" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I started to watch" instead of "I started watching"?

Both "I started to watch" and "I started watching" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable, but "I started watching" is often more concise and common in everyday speech.

What's the difference between "I started watching" and "I finished watching"?

"I started watching" indicates the beginning of a viewing activity, while "I finished watching" indicates its completion. They are opposite in meaning.