are starting to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are starting to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action or process is beginning to happen or develop. Example: "The students are starting to understand the complex concepts in the course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Guys are starting to gel.

Independent

Foodies are starting to experiment.

Independent

Patients are starting to leave.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Things are starting to change.

The New York Times - Health

Now, buyers are starting to come back.

The New York Times

Report in: Bodies are starting to burst.

Independent

The results are starting to show.

The Economist

Industry watchers are starting to take notice.

The New York Times

But some are starting to listen.

The Economist

Even business leaders are starting to complain.

The New York Times

In Alabama lawmakers are starting to listen.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are starting to" to indicate the early stages of a process or action. It effectively conveys that something is in its initial phase of development.

Common error

Avoid using "are starting to" with verbs like 'initiate' or 'launch' as it can be redundant. For example, instead of "They are starting to initiate the project", use "They are initiating the project" to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are starting to" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating the beginning phase of an action or process. Ludwig examples show it preceding a main verb to express that something is in the process of commencing. As stated in Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are starting to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the commencement of an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media. When writing, it’s best to use this phrase to accurately convey the initial stages of an event, avoiding redundancy with verbs that already imply a beginning. Alternatives include "are beginning to" or "have begun to". The phrase's neutral tone makes it suitable for a broad range of communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are beginning to

Emphasizes the initial phase of an action or process, similar to "are starting to" but can imply a slightly more gradual commencement.

are commencing to

A more formal alternative, suggesting the formal initiation of an action or process.

are initiating

Focuses on the act of beginning or setting something in motion, omitting the continuous aspect.

have begun to

Highlights the completed action of starting, shifting the focus to the result of the commencement.

are getting underway

Implies that an activity is now in progress or on track, similar to "are starting to" but suggesting more momentum.

are in the process of beginning

A more verbose and descriptive alternative, stressing the act of beginning as a process.

are on the verge of starting

Suggests imminent commencement, highlighting the point just before the start.

are about to begin

Indicates something is going to start immediately, focusing on the very near future.

are kicking off

An informal phrase denoting the start of something, often used for events or projects.

are setting out to

Implies an intention to achieve a goal, emphasizing the initial effort and direction.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are starting to" indicates that an action or process is in its early stages. For instance, "The flowers "are starting to bloom" in the garden", or "The team "are starting to see results" after their hard work".

What are some alternatives to "are starting to"?

You can use alternatives like "are beginning to", "are commencing to", or "have begun to" depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

Is it redundant to use "are starting to" with verbs that already imply beginning?

Yes, using "are starting to" with verbs like "initiate" or "launch" can be redundant. It's better to use the verb alone, such as "They "initiated the project"" instead of "They are starting to initiate the project".

Which is correct, "are starting to" or "are start to"?

"Are starting to" is the correct phrase. "Are start to" is grammatically incorrect and should not be used.