start to walk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start to walk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the beginning of the action of walking, often in a context where someone is about to begin moving on foot. Example: "As soon as the light turned green, I decided to start to walk across the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I start to walk away.

The New Yorker

So Ted writes them a check and they start to walk down the trail.

The New Yorker

I imitate an old man mumbling nonsense and start to walk with wobbly legs.

The New Yorker

Finally, at 6am, we've had our fill of the Feria and start to walk wearily home.

The Guardian - Travel

"That's why I hope someday I will start to walk again.

The New York Times

After some more strange sniffs, they close the jar and start to walk away.

The New Yorker

Edgar Sosa would start to walk out when he saw himself step to the free-throw line.

The New York Times - Sports

The stranger should start to walk, since it is the only way to truly know New York.

The New York Times

You watched kids start to walk and then start to run, and then you watched yourself lose them.

The New York Times

That will reverse his rickets eventually and in time, hopefully in months, he'll start to walk", Blair said.

The Guardian

(Note: this is how you start to walk when you've seen too many fashion shows at fashion week).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start to walk" to clearly indicate the commencement of the act of walking, especially when transitioning from another activity or state. For instance, "After the meeting, we decided to start to walk back to the office."

Common error

Avoid using "start to walk" when "walk" alone suffices. Instead of saying "He started to walk down the street", simply say "He walked down the street" unless you specifically want to emphasize the beginning of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start to walk" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the beginning of an action. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase correctly indicates the initiation of the walking action, frequently found across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

33%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "start to walk" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of beginning to walk. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and widely applicable. While alternatives like "begin to walk" or "commence walking" exist, "start to walk" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts ranging from news and media to scientific discussions. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding redundancy in simple narratives, and opt for simpler forms like "walk" when the initiation aspect isn't crucial. Ludwig's examples underscore its prevalent usage in describing the start of physical movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin walking

Replaces "start" with "begin", providing a more formal tone, but maintains the same meaning of initiating the action of walking.

commence walking

Substitutes "start" with "commence", further increasing formality while still indicating the beginning of the act of walking.

initiate walking

Uses "initiate" instead of "start", emphasizing the commencement of walking in a more deliberate manner.

set out walking

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey or trip on foot, implying a sense of purpose or direction.

get going on foot

Less formal, focusing on initiating movement by walking, suitable for casual contexts.

take the first step

Highlights the initial action of walking, often used metaphorically to describe starting a process.

begin to ambulate

A more clinical or formal way to describe the beginning of walking, often used in medical contexts.

move on foot

A general term that covers walking and other forms of foot-based movement, useful when the specific manner of walking isn't important.

spring into motion

Implies a sudden or energetic start to walking, suggesting enthusiasm or urgency.

arise and walk

A more formal and somewhat archaic phrasing, often found in literature or historical texts, implying a command or exhortation.

FAQs

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

You can use "start to walk" to describe the beginning of the action of walking, as in, "After the rain stopped, they "began walking"".

What are some alternatives to "start to walk"?

Alternatives include "begin to walk", "commence walking", or simply "begin walking", depending on the context and level of formality desired.

Is there a difference between "start to walk" and "begin to walk"?

The difference is minimal; "begin to walk" may be perceived as slightly more formal than "start to walk". Both phrases indicate the initiation of the action.

When is it better to use "start walking" instead of "start to walk"?

Using "start walking" (gerund) versus "start to walk" (infinitive) often depends on stylistic preference. Both are grammatically correct, but "start walking" might sound more natural in some contexts, while "start to walk" is useful when you want to emphasize the intention or effort behind beginning the walking action.