start college

USAGE SUMMARY

"start college" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically means the beginning of attending college or beginning a specific academic program. Example: She was excited to start college and finally pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gleason was just about to start college.

The New Yorker

You're about to start college now.

The Guardian - Money

Why start college by clinging to what you already know?

The New York Times

I have two kids who have yet to start college.

The New York Times

"I want to start college," Ms. Garcia said.

The New York Times

He would go on to start college that September.

The Guardian

Ms. Carroll said she planned to start college in August.

The New York Times

[Her father killed himself.] I was due to start college.

The Guardian

She was about to start college, at Boston University.

The New Yorker

He has two daughters, one about to start college.

The New York Times

Their son is about to start college in the city.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "start college", ensure the context clearly indicates the beginning of one's higher education. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the year or program if necessary for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "starting college" when you mean to indicate the beginning of college. "Starting college" implies a continuous action, while "start college" refers to the initial act of beginning higher education.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start college" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the initiation of higher education. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts, such as planning, anticipation, or describing someone's life stage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start college" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the beginning of higher education. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is widely accepted and understood in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as in wiki and scientific sources, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the beginning of higher education to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "begin college studies", "go to college", or "attend college" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go to college

A simpler and more general alternative.

start university

Replaces "college" with "university", implying a specific type of institution.

begin college studies

Focuses on the academic aspect of starting college.

attend college

Focuses on the action of attending college.

enrol in college

Highlights the enrollment process.

commence higher education

A more formal way of saying start college.

enter higher education

Highlights the entry into the higher education system.

begin higher learning

A broader term focusing on the start of higher education in general.

matriculate at university

Focuses on the formal enrollment at a university.

embark on a college career

Emphasizes the beginning of a longer academic path.

FAQs

What does "start college" mean?

"Start college" refers to the beginning of one's higher education journey, typically after completing high school or its equivalent.

Is it correct to say "starting college" instead of "start college"?

While "starting college" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts (e.g. "She is starting college next year"), "start college" is generally used to describe the act of beginning higher education. Consider using "go to college" or "attend college" as alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "start college"?

You can use phrases such as "begin college studies", "commence higher education", or "enter higher education", depending on the desired level of formality.

How can I use "start college" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "Many students feel both excited and nervous when they "start college"." You can also say, "She plans to "start college" in the fall."