it was started to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was started to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a complete thought or action. Example: "It was started to improve efficiency in the workplace."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It was started to protect American dealers furing the war.

The New Yorker

Household access was only given priority when it was started to be considered as a basic input in the 1980s.

Energy Policy

"It was started to give older, healthy people an alternative to nursing homes," said Ms. Marlin, who noted that the current residents range from 65 to 93 years old.

The New York Times

Organizers of the Facebook page, which referred to the National Rifle Association, said it was started to bring the debate over guns and gun control to a wide audience and to present that audience with arguments in favor of more stringent regulation of certain weapons, like the high-powered AR-15 Bushmaster rifle that was used in the Connecticut rampage.

The New York Times

The trial heard it was started to frame Philpott's former live-in mistress, Lisa Willis, who had left the house taking her five children.

BBC

Meant as a means of connecting the press with a limited crop of companies away from the chaos of the show floor, it's become the epitome of everything that it was started to combat.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"It was starting to happen.

The New York Times

It was starting to get scary.

The New York Times

Now it was starting to get dark.

The New Yorker

And it was starting to drizzle.

The New York Times

"It was starting to move," he recalled.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it was started to" in formal writing. Opt for more direct and grammatically correct alternatives such as "it was initiated to", "it was created to", or "the aim was to".

Common error

Don't confuse passive voice with incomplete purpose clauses. "It was started to..." often lacks a clear verb and intended action. Ensure the sentence clearly expresses the purpose, for example, "It was started to improve efficiency".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was started to" functions as an incomplete purpose clause. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that this phrase is not grammatically correct in standard written English. It requires further context to express a complete thought or action, such as specifying what it was started for.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was started to" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is unclear and needs further information to complete its meaning. While it appears in various contexts, including news and scientific articles, it is best to use more grammatically sound alternatives such as "it was initiated to", "it was created to", or "the aim was to". Using these alternatives ensures clarity and professionalism in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was initiated to

Replaces "started" with "initiated", providing a more formal and grammatically acceptable alternative.

it was begun to

Substitutes "started" with "begun", another grammatically correct although less common option.

it was created to

Changes the focus to creation, implying a purpose-driven origin.

it was designed to

Emphasizes the intention and planning behind the action.

it was established to

Highlights the formal establishment or setup for a specific purpose.

the aim was to

Restructures the sentence to directly state the aim or goal.

the purpose was to

Clearly indicates the intended purpose or objective.

it was intended to

Focuses on the original intention or plan.

it was set up to

Indicates the arrangement or preparation for a specific task or goal.

it served to

Highlights the function or role that something fulfills.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it was started to"?

Instead of "it was started to", consider using alternatives such as "it was initiated to", "it was created to", or "the purpose was to" to express the intended purpose more clearly.

Why is "it was started to" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "it was started to" is grammatically awkward because it creates an incomplete or unclear purpose clause. A better construction would include a verb that clearly defines the action or goal, such as "it was started to improve efficiency."

How can I use "it was initiated to" in a sentence?

Use "it was initiated to" when you want to express that something was formally started or begun for a specific reason. For example, "The project was initiated to address environmental concerns."

What's the difference between "it was started to" and "it was intended to"?

"It was intended to" clearly expresses the original plan or intention, while "it was started to" is grammatically weak and requires a follow-up verb to clarify the purpose. "It was intended to reduce costs" is a clearer way to express the idea.