have started to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have started to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used as an auxiliary verb that expresses the present perfect tense. Example Sentence: The students have started to prepare for their upcoming exams.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prices have started to recover.

The New York Times

Policy priorities, too, have started to diverge.

Independent

We have started to be consistent now.

Independent

Lately things have started to change.

Independent

Activists have started to create information networks.

The Economist

"People have started to feel the breeze.

The New York Times

Courts have started to function again.

The Economist

We have started to make mistakes.

Independent

They have started to cut expenses, however.

The Economist

The connections have started to pay off.

The New York Times

Courts have started to weigh in.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have started to" to indicate the initial phase of an action that is ongoing or has continuing effects. This accurately conveys the timing and duration of the activity.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence. If you use "have started to", ensure the rest of the sentence aligns with the present perfect tense to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have started to" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action or a transition into a new state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and examples across diverse sources showcase its prevalent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have started to" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate the commencement of an action with ongoing relevance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its prevalence across news, academic, and scientific sources highlights its widespread use. When writing, ensure consistent tense usage and consider using alternatives like "have begun to" or "are now starting to" for stylistic variation. Avoiding common errors and understanding the phrase's primary function will enhance your writing's clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have begun to

Uses "begun" instead of "started", offering a slightly more formal tone.

have commenced to

Replaces "started" with "commenced", providing a more formal and official feel.

have initiated to

Substitutes "started" with "initiated", emphasizing a deliberate beginning.

are now starting to

Adds emphasis on the present moment of starting, highlighting immediacy.

have started on

Indicates the beginning of working on something specific.

have taken to

Implies the adoption of a new habit or activity.

have moved to

Suggests a shift or transition to a new action or phase.

have launched to

Conveys the idea of initiating something with force or ambition.

are getting started to

Suggests a gradual beginning of an action.

are now getting to

Indicates entering a phase or time to do something.

FAQs

How to use "have started to" in a sentence?

Use "have started to" to describe an action that began in the past and is continuing in the present. For example, "They "have started to implement" new policies."

What can I say instead of "have started to"?

You can use alternatives like "have begun to", "have commenced to", or "are now starting to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have started to" or "have start to"?

"Have started to" is correct. "Start" should be in its past participle form "started" when used with the auxiliary verb "have" to form the present perfect tense.

What's the difference between "have started to" and "started to"?

"Have started to" emphasizes that the action began in the past and continues to have relevance in the present, while "started to" simply indicates that the action began in the past without necessarily implying ongoing relevance. For example, "I "started to exercise" last year" versus "I "have started to exercise" and feel better."