start to grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start to grasp" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the beginning of understanding or comprehension of a concept or idea. Example: "After several explanations, I finally started to grasp the complex theory behind quantum mechanics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Children only start to grasp words and phrases later on.

The Guardian

But when you consider the similar demographic trend – one in four under-10s is non-white – you start to grasp the scale of the Tory challenge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Close contact with someone working on the "inside" also means that students start to grasp more about the realities of what her working life is like.

The Guardian

"Somewhere between 18 months and 2, most kids will start to grasp the concept of consequences for their actions," said Dr. Hoffman, who suggests that injured caregivers weigh whether it is repeat behavior or just an accident.

The New York Times

(This, I know, could be its own feature story). For girls, the transition to middle school is usually when they start to grasp what society really expects from females.

Harvard University

They only start to grasp the concept around age 5 or 6.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Some industries are starting to grasp the costs of sticking to rigid work demands.

Princeton University

What to do? Pakistan's military has finally started to grasp the dangers of extremism.

The New York Times

How desperate the American condition then was, the newly elected President was only starting to grasp.

The New York Times - Books

But they are starting to grasp how it might slow the aging process.

MIT Technology Review

Equally, people have started to grasp that even hilarious bad behaviour has victims.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "begin to understand" or "start to comprehend" for variety in your writing, especially if you've used "start to grasp" frequently in the same text.

Common error

Avoid using "start to grasp" when a simpler phrase like "understand" or "realize" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start to grasp" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of understanding or comprehension. Ludwig's examples show it's used to describe the initial phase of learning or realizing something, often after a period of confusion or lack of awareness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start to grasp" is a verb phrase used to describe the initial phase of understanding or comprehending something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While relatively common, it is advisable to use simpler alternatives such as "begin to understand" or "start to comprehend" for clarity or variety. Remember that overusing it might make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to understand

Implies a more general and gradual process of understanding.

start to comprehend

Suggests a slightly more formal and intellectual understanding.

begin to perceive

Focuses on the initial awareness and sensory understanding of something.

begin to realize

Highlights the awakening of understanding, often after a period of unawareness.

start to fathom

Indicates an effort to understand something deep or complex.

start to appreciate

Focuses on understanding the value or importance of something.

get a sense of

Implies a vague or intuitive understanding, rather than a precise one.

get the hang of

Suggests learning how to do something, often a skill or technique.

get wise to

Implies becoming aware of something, often something hidden or secret.

become aware of

Indicates a general understanding or consciousness of something.

FAQs

What does "start to grasp" mean?

"Start to grasp" means to begin to understand or comprehend something, often something complex or subtle. It indicates the initial stage of understanding a concept or idea.

What can I say instead of "start to grasp"?

You can use alternatives like "begin to understand", "start to comprehend", or "begin to realize" depending on the context.

Is "start to grasp" formal or informal?

"Start to grasp" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's suitable for a variety of contexts, but simpler alternatives might be preferable in very informal settings.

How do I use "start to grasp" in a sentence?

You can use "start to grasp" to describe the process of beginning to understand something. For example, "After the lecture, the students "started to grasp" the main concepts" or "It took me a while to "start to grasp" the intricacies of quantum physics".