has started to

USAGE SUMMARY

'has started to' is correct and usable in written English.
You use it when you want to indicate that a certain action has begun. For example: She has started to feel more confident in her abilities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has started to sway.

The New Yorker

It has started to rain.

The New Yorker

This has started to change.

The Economist

America has started to notice.

Independent

"It has started to change".

The New York Times

That has started to change.

The New York Times

Mr Gore has started to unveil his.

The Economist

The app has started to catch on.

The New York Times

American consumer confidence has started to wobble.

The Economist

"The country has started to run risks".

The Economist

But the industry has started to recover.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has started to" when you want to emphasize the transition from a previous state to the beginning of an action or process.

Common error

Avoid using "has started to" with verbs that describe completed actions. This phrase indicates an ongoing process that has just begun, not a finished event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has started to" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase, indicating the initiation of an action or process. Ludwig AI confirms this structure aligns with standard English grammar. It combines the auxiliary verb "has" with the past participle "started" and the infinitive marker "to" followed by a verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has started to" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the initiation of an action or process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is prevalent in news, academic, and scientific contexts, as found by Ludwig. To use it effectively, remember that this phrase signifies an ongoing process and avoids it with verbs expressing completed actions. Consider alternatives like "began to" or "initiated" to enhance the writing style and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has begun to

Similar in meaning, but slightly more emphatic about the start having occurred.

began to

Simpler and more direct, omitting the auxiliary "has" and focusing on the initiation of the action.

is beginning to

Indicates a gradual start, emphasizing the process rather than a single point of commencement.

commenced to

More formal and emphasizes a deliberate or official start.

initiated

Highlights the launch or beginning of something, often a process or project.

got underway

Suggests the beginning of a process or activity, often a planned event.

kicked off

Informal and dynamic, suggesting an energetic or enthusiastic start.

started up

Implies the initiation of a machine, business, or similar entity.

took off

Indicates a rapid or successful start.

is getting off the ground

Suggests an action or process is at its initial stage, slowly progressing towards completion.

FAQs

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

Use "has started to" to indicate the beginning of an action or process. For example: "The rain "has started to fall"" or "The project "has started to gain momentum"".

What are some alternatives to "has started to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "began to", "commenced to", or "initiated" to express a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "has started to" and "has begun to"?

While similar, "has begun to" can sometimes imply a more formal or decisive start, while "has started to" is generally more neutral. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

Can "has started to" be used for both gradual and sudden beginnings?

Yes, "has started to" can describe both gradual and sudden commencements. The context usually clarifies the nature of the start. For example, "The economy "has started to recover"" (gradual) versus "The engine "has started to run"" (sudden).