it was starting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was starting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was beginning to happen or occur in the past. Example: "As the sun began to set, it was starting to get colder outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He still hated to lose, but Shannon said "it was starting to break him down".

The New York Times - Sports

"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

It was starting to scare me.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it was starting to slow down.

The New York Times

It was starting to look ominous.

The Guardian - Sport

It was starting to change then.

The Guardian - Sport

Martin said: "It was starting to hurt.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was starting" to indicate the initial phase of a process or event. This is especially effective when describing gradual changes or developments over time.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "it was starting" in your writing. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "it began" or restructuring the sentence to highlight the action itself. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was starting" functions as an introductory clause, setting the stage for describing the initial phase of an action, event, or state. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was starting" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the initial stages of an event or condition. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its common usage across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While it's a useful phrase, avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "it began" or "it commenced" to add variety to your writing. Remember to focus on describing the initial phase of a process or event when using "it was starting" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it began to

Replaces "was starting" with "began to", focusing on the initiation of an action or state.

it commenced

Uses a more formal verb, "commenced", to indicate the beginning of something.

it initiated

Similar to "commenced", but with a stronger emphasis on the act of initiation.

it was getting underway

Emphasizes the progress of something from its initial stages.

it was dawning

Implies a gradual or subtle beginning, often used metaphorically.

it was emerging

Suggests something becoming apparent or visible from a previous hidden state.

it was in its infancy

Highlights the early stage of development or existence.

it was taking shape

Focuses on the formation or development of something tangible.

it was germinating

Suggests a slow, organic beginning, similar to a seed sprouting.

it was budding

Similar to "germinating", but often used in the context of potential or promise.

FAQs

How can I use "it was starting" in a sentence?

Use "it was starting" to describe the onset or initial stage of an event or condition. For instance, "it was starting to rain" indicates the beginning of rainfall.

What are some alternatives to "it was starting"?

Alternatives include "it began", "it commenced", or "it was beginning", depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

Is "it was starting to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was starting to" is grammatically correct. It's a common way to express that an action or state was in its initial stages of development or occurrence.

What's the difference between "it was starting" and "it had started"?

"It was starting" describes an ongoing process at its initial phase, while "it had started" indicates that something had already begun at a point in the past and may or may not be ongoing.