start high school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start high school" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the beginning of a student's education at a high school level. Example: "This year, my daughter will start high school, and we are all excited for her new journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Next year, Lilly will start high school.

The New Yorker

They were unwitting girls about to start high school.

The New York Times

And in two years their son, Anthony, will also start high school.

The New York Times

Lawson is 14 years old and cannot wait to start high school in September.

The Guardian - Money

"It happened with my mother just before I was about to start high school," he continued.

The New York Times - Magazine

Finally, students who start high school in fall 2003 will need a 65 or better on all five exams.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

I started high school in 1963.

The New Yorker

"His kids are just starting high school.

The New Yorker

The son of a good friend was starting high school.

The New York Times

This fall she, too, will be starting high school.

The Guardian - Money

Just before I started high school, my mum came out.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a specific timeframe, clarify the year or academic term someone will "start high school". For example, "She will start high school in the fall of 2026."

Common error

Avoid using the past tense when referring to a future event. Instead of "He started high school next year", use "He will start high school next year."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start high school" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "start" acts as the main verb indicating the commencement of an action, and "high school" functions as a noun phrase identifying the specific level of education. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start high school" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the beginning of someone's secondary education. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in neutral contexts like news and media, the phrase serves to inform about upcoming transitions or discussions related to education. While alternatives like "begin high school" or "enter high school" exist, "start high school" remains a straightforward and frequently used option. When using this phrase, ensure the tense aligns with the timeline you are writing about to avoid potential errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enter high school

Focuses on the transition into the high school environment.

enroll in high school

Highlights the act of registering or joining a high school.

transition to high school

Focuses on the shift from a lower level of education to high school.

begin one's high school years

Emphasizes the start of the high school period in a student's life.

begin secondary education

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe the commencement of high school.

initiate high school

Emphasizes the very first steps in a high school education.

commence high school studies

Highlights the beginning of academic pursuits at the high school level.

undertake high school education

Focuses on the commitment to pursue high school studies.

matriculate into high school

Implies a formal enrollment or admission into high school.

inaugurate high school

More formal and less common, suggesting a ceremonial start to high school.

FAQs

What's the best way to describe the beginning of high school?

The most common and straightforward way is to say "start high school". You could also use alternatives like "enter high school" or "begin high school".

Is it correct to say "begin high school" instead of "start high school"?

Yes, "begin high school" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "start high school". Both phrases have the same meaning and are grammatically correct.

Can I use "commence high school" as a substitute for "start high school"?

While grammatically correct, "commence high school" is less common and more formal than "start high school". It might be suitable in formal writing but less so in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "starting high school" and "start high school"?

"Starting high school" typically refers to the action or process of beginning high school, while "start high school" is a more general phrase used to describe the event of beginning high school. The "-ing" form is usually used in progressive tenses (e.g., "She is starting high school next year.").