start to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

"start to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the beginning of the process of gaining an understanding of something. For example, "As I read the article, I started to understand why the policy had changed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We start to understand Snape.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's when you start to understand it.

The New York Times

"Here they taste it and they start to understand".

The New York Times

"Hear the whip crack, and start to understand," she says.

The New York Times

It helped Jenna start to understand something very important.

The New York Times

"We start to understand how masculinity and testosterone can become . . .

The New Yorker

Soon you will start to understand one word, then three.

The Guardian

"I start to understand the viewpoint from women.

The Guardian

"They start to understand their options," Ms. Williams said.

The New York Times

Then we can start to understand what goes wrong.

Harvard University

Students start to understand how their own writing works, where it ripples with energy.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start to understand" to indicate the initial phase of comprehending a subject. It suggests a process rather than complete understanding. For instance, "After reviewing the data, I started to understand the complexities of the project".

Common error

Avoid using "start to understand" when you've already achieved a complete understanding. Instead, reserve it for situations where your comprehension is still evolving. For example, don't say "I started to understand quantum physics" after completing a PhD in it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start to understand" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of a cognitive process. It often describes the initial stages of grasping a concept, idea, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

19%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start to understand" is a versatile phrase used to denote the beginning of a process of comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from news articles and academic papers to everyday conversations. It is particularly useful for describing situations where understanding is evolving rather than being fully formed. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context aligns with its meaning, indicating the initial phase of grasping a concept or situation. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media, Academia and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to comprehend

Replaces "understand" with a synonym emphasizing the mental process of grasping something.

begin to grasp

Substitutes "understand" with a verb suggesting a more intuitive or immediate comprehension.

develop an understanding of

Uses a noun phrase to highlight the gradual development of understanding.

gain initial insight into

Emphasizes the acquisition of a preliminary understanding or perspective.

come to realize

Focuses on the moment of becoming aware or understanding something previously unknown.

begin to appreciate

Indicates the start of recognizing the value or significance of something.

get a sense of

Suggests developing an intuitive feeling or impression about something.

start to see

Uses a more visual metaphor to describe the beginning of comprehension.

form a basic idea of

Emphasizes creating a rudimentary mental representation or concept.

recognize the first signs of

Focuses on noticing the initial indications or evidence of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "start to understand" to describe the beginning of a comprehension process, for example: "After the lecture, I "start to understand" the main concepts".

What's the difference between "begin to understand" and "start to understand"?

"Begin to understand" and "start to understand" are very similar and often interchangeable. Both indicate the commencement of a comprehension process. However, "begin to understand" might imply a slightly more formal tone in certain contexts.

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

You can use alternatives like "begin to comprehend", "come to realize", or "get a sense of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "start to understanding" grammatically correct?

While "start to understand" is the standard infinitive form, "start to understanding" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage involves the infinitive form of the verb: "to understand".