start to develop

USAGE SUMMARY

"start to develop" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a process is beginning. For example: "He started to develop a passion for cooking after trying some of his grandmother's recipes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He will really start to develop skills".

The New York Times - Science

Otherwise, seed will start to develop soon.

The New York Times

You start to develop a very cynical, pessimistic outlook.

The New York Times

Have a group meeting, say hello and start to develop a relationship with each volunteer.

The Guardian

Did hominids start to develop bigger brains because they lost most of their body hair?

The Guardian

Girls, she reported, now start to develop breasts nine months earlier than in the 1950s.

The Guardian

Never file a story while starving: you start to develop an attraction to the meat.

The New York Times

You start to develop into the person you're going to be.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, at some point, some of those people will start to develop pre-existing conditions.

The Economist

That is the time when oysters start to develop their first shells.

The New York Times

"But we don't know what levels of BMAA it takes to start to develop a disease.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start to develop" to describe the initial stages of a process, skill, or relationship. It's suitable when you want to emphasize the beginning of something that will grow or evolve over time.

Common error

In formal or scientific writing, consider stronger verbs like "initiate", "establish", or "generate" instead of "start to develop" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start to develop" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a process or the initial stage of growth. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start to develop" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that indicates the beginning of a process, skill, or relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific articles, this phrase is used to describe the initial stages of growth and formation. While it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal writing, being aware of stronger verbs such as "initiate" or "establish" will help make your writing more impactful in formal contexts. Remember that subject-verb agreement is essential when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to cultivate

Focuses more on deliberate and careful growth.

commence to build

Emphasizes construction or establishment from the ground up.

initiate the evolution of

Highlights a gradual transformation or unfolding.

trigger the growth of

Suggests an external factor causing the development.

foster the expansion of

Implies nurturing or promoting broader development.

germinate

Implies beginning of growth, often related to ideas.

take root

Suggests establishing a firm foundation for future growth.

arise

Highlights the emergence or appearance of something new.

spring up

Indicates a sudden or rapid beginning.

unfold

Focuses on the gradual revelation or unfolding of something.

FAQs

How can I use "start to develop" in a sentence?

You can use "start to develop" to indicate the beginning of a process or the initial stages of growth, for example, "Children "start to develop skills" at a young age".

What are some alternatives to "start to develop"?

Alternatives include "begin to cultivate", "commence to build", or "initiate the evolution of", depending on the specific context.

Is "start to develop" formal or informal?

"Start to develop" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal synonyms might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

Which is correct, "start to develop" or "starts to develop"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "start to develop" with plural subjects (e.g., "They start to develop") and "starts to develop" with singular subjects (e.g., "He starts to develop").