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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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are started to

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are started to" is not correct in English and should not be used.
The correct form would typically be "are starting to" or "have started to." Example: "They are starting to see improvements in their performance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

/ Wars are started to make it easy for them / To kill a woman pushing a baby carriage".

IT IS a common place in left-wing circles that wars are started to satisfy capitalist interests; arms manufacturers and the like.

News & Media

The Economist

A second need is to determine the most effective environmental sampling techniques before and after cleanup measures are started to detect spores that could germinate.

News & Media

The New York Times

They are started to serve a perceived need, to provide goods or services to the marketplace, with the goal of making a profit for the founders and/or investors.

News & Media

The New York Times

In this regard, the main characters ("the protagonist" or "the hero") are started to be recognized.

"And two we are started to create something on the sides.

News & Media

BBC
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Guys are starting to gel.

News & Media

Independent

Foodies are starting to experiment.

News & Media

Independent

Patients are starting to leave.

"Things are starting to change.

Now, buyers are starting to come back.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating that something is in the process of beginning, use "are starting to" or "are beginning to" for grammatical accuracy. For example: "The negotiations are starting to show progress."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "are started to" because it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "are starting to" to indicate an ongoing beginning or "have started to" to indicate that something has already begun.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are started to" is grammatically incorrect and does not function properly within standard English sentence structure. As Ludwig AI shows, the correct forms are typically "are starting to" or "have started to."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33.33%

Science

53.33%

Wiki

6.67%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6.67%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are started to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in favor of the correct forms "are starting to" or "have started to". As Ludwig AI shows, while the intent is to express the beginning of an action, the incorrect phrasing undermines effective communication. This analysis indicates that while it appears in contexts such as News & Media and Science, its grammatical flaws affect its reliability. Remember to use "are starting to" to indicate an ongoing beginning or "have started to" for actions that have already commenced. Accurate grammar ensures clear and credible communication.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is beginning?

The correct ways to express that something is beginning include "are starting to", "are beginning to", or "have started to". The phrase "are started to" is grammatically incorrect.

Is "are started to" grammatically correct?

No, "are started to" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing to indicate something is in the process of beginning is "are starting to".

What are some alternatives to "are started to"?

Better alternatives include "are starting to", which indicates an ongoing process, and "have started to", which indicates something has already begun.

How do I use "are starting to" in a sentence?

You can use "are starting to" to describe an action that is currently in progress. For example, "The flowers are starting to bloom" or "The negotiations are starting to yield results."

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: