start for home

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start for home" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the beginning of a journey or return to one's home. Example: "After a long day at work, I decided it was time to start for home before the sun set."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

By the end of the second day, I was just about to start for home when I spotted a black Toyota Camry with American licence plates in my wing mirror.

Independent

In winter they grab the chairs nearest the stove and sit in them, as motionless as barnacles, until around six, when they yawn, stretch, and start for home, insulated with ale against the dreadful loneliness of the old.

The New Yorker

But the best sight of all, for Sgt. William Ray of the Iron Brigade, came on July 15 , 1865 "I start for home & on reaching the gate see Mother standing in the door".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In a few minutes, I'll get up and start for home-a five-minute walk through dune grass and between trees and across the wide, sloping lawn that leads to the big house where the walled rose garden den is.

The New Yorker

In a few minutes, I'll get up and start for home-a five-minute walk through dune grass and between trees and across the wide, sloping lawn that leads to the big house where the walled rose garden den is..

The New Yorker

As she started for home, I saw that she was still holding Tapka's leash.

The New Yorker

He had five birdies in an outward 31, started for home with two more, bogeyed the next two, then sank a 30-foot eagle putt on the long 14th.

The Guardian - Sport

Giambi started for home but retreated, then scampered back toward the plate when Mike Cameron's throw from center went all the way to the wall near the dugout.

The New York Times - Sports

Then we started for home.

Huffington Post

After six years on station she was relieved by Revenge as flagship and started for home.

Wikipedia

The evening could not have got off to a better start for the home team.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reporting or news, this phrase effectively signals the end of an event or shift, such as when crowds or officials disperse.

Common error

Do not confuse "start for home" with "start at home". While the former indicates a departure toward a destination, the latter refers to beginning an activity within one's residence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start for home" is a verb phrase where the intransitive verb "start" is modified by the prepositional phrase "for home", which functions as a directional complement. According to Ludwig, it is used to denote the exact point in time when a return journey commences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academic

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "start for home" is a precise and sophisticated way to describe the beginning of a return trip. While phrases like "head home" are more common in casual speech, Ludwig AI shows that "start for home" maintains a strong presence in high-authority literature and media. It is grammatically correct and serves as a versatile tool for writers looking to add movement and intent to their prose without being overly informal. Whether in a news report about a sports team leaving an arena or a novel describing a traveler's departure, this phrase remains a reliable choice for clear English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

head home

More idiomatic and common in everyday spoken English

leave for home

Focuses on the departure from the current location

set off for home

Emphasizes the formal act of starting a journey or departure

make one's way home

Implies a more gradual or deliberate process of returning

start heading home

Combines the initiation of the action with a continuous directional sense

start back home

Adds the nuance of returning to a point of origin

depart for home

A more formal and technical synonym for leaving

make for home

Suggests moving toward home with a specific intent or speed

go home

The most basic and direct way to express the action

bound for home

Indicates a state of being on the way back, often used in travel contexts

FAQs

How to use "start for home" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the beginning of a journey, such as: "After the party ended at midnight, we decided to start for home before the rain began."

What can I say instead of "start for home"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "head home", "leave for home" or "set off for home".

Which is more common, "start for home" or "head home"?

In modern conversational English, "head home" is significantly more frequent, while "start for home" is more common in literature and traditional journalism.

Is "start for home" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It appears frequently in reputable publications like "The New York Times" and "The New Yorker", suggesting it is well-suited for professional writing.