he started to

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "he started to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone did something but did not finish it. For example: He started to walk away, but then he remembered he left his keys on the counter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He started to laugh.

The New York Times - Magazine

He started to dress.

The New York Times - Sports

He started to worry.

The New Yorker

So he started to buy.

The New York Times

He started to become silly".

The New York Times

And he started to cry.

The New York Times - Sports

"He started to get engaged".

The New York Times - Arts

So he started to brainstorm.

The New York Times

He started to climb again.

The New Yorker

He started to call out.

The New Yorker

He started to doubt himself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he started to" to describe the initial phase of an action or a change in state. This construction is versatile and fits well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he started to" without indicating the outcome or continuation of the action. Ensure the sentence provides context on whether the action was completed or interrupted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he started to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action or a transition into a new state. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The examples showcase its use in various narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he started to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions to indicate the beginning of an action or a shift into a new state, serving a narrative purpose across various contexts. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both casual and formal settings. While versatile, it's important to provide context on the outcome or continuation of the action. According to Ludwig, this expression appears very commonly in News & Media sources. Consider using alternatives like "he began to" or "he commenced to" for slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he began to

A direct synonym, replacing "started" with "began" for a slightly more formal tone.

he commenced to

A more formal alternative to "started to", suitable for professional contexts.

he initiated to

Suggests the beginning of a process or project.

he proceeded to

Implies a continuation from a previous state or action.

he went on to

Indicates a transition to a new activity or topic.

he set about to

Suggests a determined or intentional start to something.

he undertook to

Highlights the beginning of a significant or challenging task.

he resolved to

Emphasizes a firm decision to begin something.

he turned to

Indicates a shift in focus or activity.

he happened to

Implies a chance or unexpected beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "he started to" in a sentence?

Use "he started to" to indicate the beginning of an action or a change in state. For example, "He started to run after the bus" shows the commencement of running.

What are some alternatives to "he started to"?

Alternatives include "he began to", "he commenced to", or "he initiated to", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he started to" or should I use another tense?

"He started to" is correct for describing a past action that was initiated. Other tenses may be appropriate depending on the specific context. For example, use "he starts to" for present tense.

What's the difference between "he started to" and "he began to"?

While both phrases are very similar, "he began to" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "he started to", though they are largely interchangeable.