cracks start to appear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cracks start to appear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where problems or weaknesses begin to become evident in a system, relationship, or situation. Example: "As the project progressed, cracks started to appear in the team's communication, leading to misunderstandings and delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Put it another way and the cracks start to appear.

The Guardian - Opinion

But now the cracks start to appear, cracks whose methodological arguments mask an increasingly insidious moral whisper, less heard of course by one than another.

The Guardian - Books

Parts break off, water gets squeezed in under pressure, sometimes the water freezes, and even more cracks start to appear … "It's a self-perpetuating cycle with the pothole," says Rick Ashton of the Asphalt Industry Alliance AIAAsphalt Industry Alliance AIA

The Guardian

If you do that they will keep applying pressure until cracks start to appear, and when they finally break you open it's all over.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Are cracks starting to appear?

The Guardian - Sport

After that, the cracks started to appear in the Barbarians.

The New York Times - Sports

In Germany, once the cracks started to appear in the Berlin Wall, the East collapsed quickly.

The Economist

Yet, before I could get too excited, cracks started to appear.

The Guardian

However, Manpower said the UK jobs market was "skating on thin ice", with cracks starting to appear in many areas of the economy.

The Guardian - Business

But figures from credit agency Experian show that the number of nearly new cars on Britain's roads has been steadily declining since well before the cracks started to appear in the global and domestic economy.

Independent

The first cracks started to appear in Domino's relationship with The Simpsons two years ago when the Sky1 show fell foul of Ofcom's restrictions to stop junk food advertising from being associated with shows that "particularly appeal" to under-16s.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cracks start to appear" to signal the initial stage of deterioration or the surfacing of underlying issues within a system, plan, or relationship. Ensure the context clearly establishes what is weakening or becoming problematic.

Common error

While acceptable, consistently using "cracks start to appear" in formal writing can sound repetitive. Consider "problems begin to surface" or "weaknesses become evident" for a more varied tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cracks start to appear" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the initial emergence of problems, weaknesses, or vulnerabilities in a system, situation, or relationship. As evidenced by the Ludwig examples, it signals a shift from stability to instability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cracks start to appear" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the initial emergence of problems or weaknesses. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare, its usage is commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, signaling the commencement of deterioration or instability. For alternative expressions, consider "problems begin to surface" or "flaws begin to show" to add variety to your writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies what is weakening, and avoid overuse in exclusively formal settings to maintain a balanced tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problems begin to surface

Focuses on the initial visibility of issues.

difficulties start to arise

Emphasizes the commencement of challenging situations.

weaknesses become evident

Highlights the gradual exposure of vulnerabilities.

flaws begin to show

Indicates the emergence of imperfections or defects.

troubles start to emerge

Stresses the initial stages of problematic developments.

issues begin to materialize

Highlights the concrete manifestation of underlying problems.

fault lines begin to open

Metaphorically describes the widening of divisions or points of failure.

the illusion begins to fade

Emphasizes the loss of a positive but deceptive appearance.

the facade begins to crumble

Highlights the breakdown of an outward appearance of strength or stability.

the rot starts to set in

Implies the beginning of a process of decay or corruption.

FAQs

How can I use "cracks start to appear" in a sentence?

You can use "cracks start to appear" to describe the initial signs of problems or weaknesses in a situation. For example: "As the project progressed, "cracks started to appear" in the team's communication."

What's a more formal alternative to "cracks start to appear"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "flaws begin to show" or "issues start to surface". These alternatives provide a similar meaning with a slightly more refined tone.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "cracks start to appear"?

While grammatically correct, using "cracks start to appear" may be less suitable when describing positive developments. It's best used when discussing emerging problems, vulnerabilities, or failures.

What's the difference between "cracks start to appear" and "cracks begin to appear"?

The phrases "cracks start to appear" and "cracks begin to appear" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate the commencement of problems becoming noticeable. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.