i started scribbling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started scribbling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of beginning to write or draw quickly and carelessly, often in a spontaneous or informal manner. Example: "Feeling inspired, I started scribbling my thoughts in a notebook during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I started scribbling.

The New Yorker

I started scribbling notes on Bielat's campaign brochure.

The New Yorker

"And after one session the plot of a mystery came to me, and I started scribbling it on a McDonald's box from one of my kids.

The New York Times - Books

Then and there, I started scribbling a list of responses to each of the supposed "errors" of evolution in our new book.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

"I started scribbling wee stories, the way I used to when I was a student writing for the sheer hell of it," he told the Mail.

BBC

I started scribbling an endless array of discombobulated thoughts and run-on sentences.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When I start scribbling on paper and am able to "see" solutions to problems or outline industry structures I feel "in the zone" and what I've learned over the years is that I need to have the right environment and stimuli.

TechCrunch

I just started scribbling this alphabet while I was at work, and it kind of looked pretty cool.

Huffington Post

So, sitting in a café, I cried a little and started scribbling curses and ideas.

Independent

(They started scribbling again when I said that we trust the opinions of our friends more than we trust them or their multi-million dollar, exquisitely crafted campaigns).

Huffington Post

It took more than a minute, but those pens started scribbling down the same fears and uncertainties I knew well.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started scribbling" to convey a spontaneous act of writing or drawing, especially when inspired or brainstorming. It suggests informality and a lack of meticulous planning.

Common error

Avoid using "I started scribbling" in formal or professional documents where precision and clarity are paramount. Opt for more formal alternatives like "I began drafting" or "I commenced writing" for reports or official communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started scribbling" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The examples show it describing the beginning of writing notes, stories, or ideas spontaneously.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I started scribbling" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, perfect for conveying the commencement of spontaneous writing or drawing. While suitable for most contexts, it should be used cautiously in highly formal settings. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its application across various sources, including news, academia, and general-interest websites, indicating widespread understanding and acceptance. Consider using alternatives such as "I began to scribble" or "I commenced scribbling" for increased formality, or "I started jotting down" for emphasis on note-taking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i began to scribble

Uses "began" instead of "started", indicating a slightly more formal or gradual commencement of the action.

i started jotting down

Emphasizes the act of writing quickly and informally, with the same initial verb.

i commenced scribbling

Replaces "started" with "commenced", adding a more formal tone to the sentence.

i took to scribbling

Implies a fondness or habit forming around the act of scribbling.

i fell to scribbling

Suggests that the action was almost involuntary or compelled by a certain feeling.

i dashed off some notes

Focuses on the quick and unplanned nature of writing notes.

i began jotting down

Emphasizes the act of writing quickly and informally.

i started to doodle

Shifts the action specifically to drawing or sketching aimlessly.

i started sketching out

Implies the beginning of a more deliberate drawing process.

i scrawled down

Focuses on the illegible or hurried nature of the writing.

FAQs

What does "I started scribbling" mean?

It means you began to write or draw quickly and often carelessly, usually because you had an idea or thought you wanted to capture rapidly.

What can I say instead of "I started scribbling"?

You can use alternatives like "I began to scribble", "I commenced scribbling", or "I started jotting down" depending on the context.

Is "I started scribbling" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I started scribbling" is grammatically correct. The structure follows standard English sentence construction with a subject, verb, and gerund.

When is it appropriate to use "I started scribbling"?

It's appropriate in informal contexts or when describing a spontaneous, unplanned writing or drawing action. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings where more precise language is needed.