i started to drive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started to drive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action of beginning to operate a vehicle. Example: "After a long day at work, I finally started to drive home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

i had one experience, very funny.when i started to drive, i felt very nervous and enthusiastic.

BBC

As I started to drive away one of them tapped on the window and asked: "Is this a new car?

The New York Times - Travel

TORONTO, Canada — One day last June, on the quiet Tehran street where I lived, I noticed a man in a white Peugeot across the street looking at me, straight in the eye, as I started to drive out of my garage.

The New York Times

I was late for class, so I started to drive to school.

Huffington Post

"I did too, and I started to drive it a little better down the stretch". Walker has two top-10 finishes this season.

Los Angeles Times

I started to drive through 360 degrees on this guy's lawn at the end of the cul-de-sac, but there wasn't enough room.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I wonder what it will be like when I start to drive".

The New York Times

And as I got into the car and we started to drive, I reminded him of all the events I had been to, including the one just a few days earlier.

Huffington Post

"I got into my car, started to drive toward east, quite away from Toledo, practically numb, when it started to dawn on me what happened," he wrote.

The New York Times

"I put my lipstick on a little too bright/ Then I took a deep breath and started to drive," she sings.

The New York Times - Arts

He started to drive, and I arranged my bags on the car seats.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the action of starting to drive, consider the context and choose the most appropriate verb. "Began" is more formal, while "set off" implies a journey. Be precise to convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when describing the sequence of events. If you start with "I started to drive", maintain the past tense for subsequent actions in the same narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i started to drive" functions as an expression indicating the commencement of the action of driving a vehicle. It combines a past tense verb ("started") with an infinitive phrase ("to drive"). Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i started to drive" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable phrase that signifies the beginning of driving a vehicle. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability in various contexts. While not exceptionally frequent, it is certainly common enough for general use. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is suitable for news, personal narratives, and general communication. When writing, consider alternatives like "i began to drive" for a slightly more formal tone or "i set off driving" to highlight the journey aspect. Be mindful of maintaining consistent tense throughout your narrative. Overall, "i started to drive" is a reliable and practical phrase for conveying the commencement of driving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i began to drive

Replaces "started" with "began", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

i commenced driving

Substitutes "started" with "commenced" and uses the gerund form of "drive", resulting in a more formal and deliberate tone.

i set off driving

Uses the phrasal verb "set off" to emphasize the beginning of a journey by car.

i initiated driving

Replaces "started" with "initiated", indicating a formal or technical start to driving.

i got behind the wheel

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate the action of beginning to drive a car.

i took to the road

Implies starting a journey or trip by car, focusing on the travel aspect.

i steered off

Describes the initial action of driving away, highlighting the act of steering.

i departed by car

Focuses on the action of leaving a place by car, emphasizing the departure.

i drove off

Simply describes the action of driving away from a particular location.

i got the car moving

Focuses on the action of getting the car in motion, implying the start of a driving journey.

FAQs

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

You can use "i started to drive" to describe the moment you began operating a vehicle, such as "I started to drive to work after grabbing my coffee".

What can I say instead of "i started to drive"?

You can use alternatives like "i began to drive", "i commenced driving", or "i set off driving depending on the context".

Is "i started to drive" grammatically correct?

Yes, "i started to drive" is grammatically correct. The verb "started" is in the past tense, and "to drive" is an infinitive, properly following the verb.

What's the difference between "i started driving" and "i started to drive"?

Both "i started driving" and "i started to drive" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The former uses a gerund (driving), while the latter uses an infinitive (to drive). The choice often depends on stylistic preference, with "i started driving" being slightly more concise.