has started drinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has started drinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has begun the act of consuming alcohol or beverages at some point in the past and is still relevant to the present. Example: "He has started drinking more frequently since the summer began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Virginia has started drinking.

The New Yorker

Dave has started drinking during the day, at home and at a bar.

The New Yorker

Mr. Dowd moved on from White Russians years ago, but has started drinking them again, mainly so as not to disappoint fans.

The New York Times - Food

Now his mum has run off with the man from the support group, his dad has started drinking, and Jas, Rose's sister, has turned 15 and dyed her hair pink.

The Guardian - Books

Walter lives at home with his pompous Republican father, who worries that his son's preoccupations aren't normal, and a stolid housekeeper, who eventually seduces the young man, saying "And now, Walter, you may cross the Rubicon". Walter hangs around Georgie, improving his comic art technique, until he's secretly filling in for Georgie, who has started drinking and missing deadlines.

The New York Times - Books

Raynor, blaming himself for Kerrigan's transformation and Fenix's death, has started drinking.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The night before her death Winehouse told Romete that after three weeks without a drink she had started drinking again "because she was bored".

Independent

I've started drinking a little early this Christmas.

The New Yorker

His agent admitted following the publication of the pictures that Gascoigne had started drinking again.

Independent

He had started drinking when he was twelve; the narcotics came soon afterward.

The New Yorker

Mr. Michaels's communications business was thriving, but he had started drinking at night and smoking marijuana.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has started drinking", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's a new habit, a relapse, or a change in behavior. Provide sufficient background information to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has started drinking" without considering the potential negative connotations. Be mindful of the sensitivity of the topic and the impact your words may have on the subject and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has started drinking" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. It typically describes a change in behavior, specifically the beginning of alcohol consumption. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has started drinking" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the commencement of alcohol consumption. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to be mindful of the potential negative connotations and context when using this phrase. Consider alternatives like "began consuming alcohol" or "initiated alcohol consumption" for more formal or sensitive situations. Always provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity and ensure responsible communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commenced drinking

A more formal way of saying "started drinking".

began consuming alcohol

Focuses on the act of consuming alcohol, highlighting the commencement of drinking.

taken up drinking

Suggests a deliberate choice or adoption of drinking.

initiated alcohol consumption

Emphasizes a formal start to drinking habits.

became a drinker

Focuses on the change of status to someone who drinks.

turned to alcohol

Suggests alcohol is being used as a coping mechanism.

started imbibing

Implying enjoyment or sophistication in drinking.

developed a drinking habit

Highlights the development of a routine or addiction.

adopted the habit of drinking

Emphasizes the habitual nature of the drinking.

is now drinking

States the current state of drinking with no implication of when it started.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "has started drinking"?

You can use alternatives like "began consuming alcohol", "initiated alcohol consumption", or "turned to alcohol" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "has started drinking" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "has started drinking" might be too direct for some formal contexts. Consider using a more nuanced phrase such as "initiated alcohol consumption" or "developed a drinking habit".

What is the difference between "has started drinking" and "is drinking"?

"Has started drinking" implies a change in behavior, suggesting the person didn't drink before or had stopped. "Is drinking" simply states a current state without indicating when it began. For example, "He "is drinking" beer".

How do I use "has started drinking" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a change in someone's behavior. For example, "After the stressful events, he "has started drinking" more frequently."