i started to check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started to check" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the beginning of an action related to verifying or examining something. Example: "I started to check the documents for any errors before submitting them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When I started to check the math with Andreessen, he made a jerking-off motion and said "Blah-blah-blah.

The New Yorker

Then, just as I started to check off "peanut butter, creamy," I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of a phenomenon so shockingly miraculous that I nearly swapped smooth for chunky.

The New York Times - Tech

I started to check out the band's gigs and found that Jake Black (aka D Wayne Love), one of the band's founding members, and I had many mutual friends from our raving days in Glasgow, stretching back to the punk era.

The Guardian - Music

I started to check out these beds as I was DJing because I was elevated from everybody.

Vice

I've always been a big fan of Velvet Underground, Tom Waits, PJ Harvey… so, I started to check what type of guitars they used, etc… and eventually that led me to analog recording.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It became clear who was supposed to be in my life and their roles, the goals I thought were impossible started to check off my list, and the biggest issue I felt was out of reach was indeed right in front of me.

Huffington Post

And then I got scared and started to check again".

BMC Family Practice

He started to check for injuries.

BBC

You can start to check in about your compatibility.

WikiHow

To start to get back into it I started to measure and check where the Blu-Tack was and move it a bit, my crazy bits of 3D.

The Guardian - Arts

"I started to speak to her and checked her airway but I did not move her," she said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started to check" when you want to clearly indicate the beginning of an action aimed at verifying or examining something. This phrasing is straightforward and easily understood in most contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "started" multiple times in the same sentence or paragraph. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "began", "commenced", or "initiated" to improve readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i started to check" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct. The verb "started" marks the beginning of the action, and "to check" specifies the action being initiated.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i started to check" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the beginning of an action involving verification or examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. While it appears with less frequency compared to other phrases, it finds common ground in news, science, and wiki-based contexts. When writing, be mindful of overusing "started" and consider alternatives like "i began to verify" for variety. The phrase serves to narrate the initial steps of a review or investigative activity in a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i began to verify

Replaces "started" with "began" and "check" with "verify", offering a slightly more formal tone.

i commenced checking

Uses "commenced" for a more formal start and maintains the action of checking.

i initiated a check

Emphasizes the initiation of the checking process as an action.

i proceeded to examine

Replaces "check" with "examine", indicating a more thorough investigation.

i set about verifying

Highlights the setting in motion of the verification process.

i undertook to inspect

Implies a formal undertaking to inspect something carefully.

i resolved to scrutinize

Suggests a determined effort to scrutinize something closely.

i determined to review

Conveys a decision to review something systematically.

i felt compelled to assess

Indicates a feeling of obligation to assess something.

i was prompted to investigate

Suggests that an external factor led to the investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "i started to check" in a sentence?

You can use "i started to check" to describe the beginning of an act of verification or examination. For example, "I started to check the data for inconsistencies" or "I started to check the weather forecast before planning the trip".

What are some alternatives to "i started to check"?

Alternatives include /s/i+began+to+verify, /s/i+commenced+checking, or /s/i+initiated+a+check depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "i started checking" grammatically correct instead of "i started to check"?

Yes, "i started checking" is also grammatically correct and often sounds more natural in contemporary English. Both forms are acceptable, but "i started checking" might be preferred for its conciseness.

What is the difference between "i started to check" and "i had started to check"?

"I started to check" indicates a simple past action. "I had started to check" implies that the checking began before another point in the past. For example, "I had started to check the report before I received the updated version".