start watching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start watching" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the act of beginning to watch something, such as a movie or a television show. For example, you might say, "Let's start watching the movie now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Start watching after 42 minutes".

The Guardian - Books

Once you start watching, you want it never to end.

Independent

"Start watching them tonight," he says with confidence.

The New Yorker

Now, maybe Matsui will start watching "The Apprentice".

The New York Times - Sports

"You start watching, and it really gets fascinating.

The New York Times

Do yourself a favour and start watching from the beginning.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But what about when the games start watching back?

The New York Times - Tech

Our advice to Smith: start watching Game of Thrones now.

The Guardian

Brilliant! 4. When did you start watching the show?

The Guardian

"But once you start watching, you realize it's hilarious".

The New York Times

"Good, I'm going to start watching," Trump said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start watching" to directly encourage someone to begin viewing content. For variety, consider swapping it with phrases like "begin viewing" or "commence watching" depending on desired formality.

Common error

Avoid using "start watching" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "initiate viewing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start watching" functions as an imperative verb phrase, typically used to initiate or suggest the beginning of a viewing activity. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it directly prompts or encourages someone to begin watching something. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start watching" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to encourage or instruct someone to begin viewing content. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it is most frequently found in news and media and wiki contexts, it is suitable for neutral to informal situations. When writing formally, consider alternatives like "begin viewing" or "initiate viewing". As demonstrated by the examples, "start watching" is a straightforward way to prompt immediate engagement with visual content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start viewing now

Adds emphasis on immediacy of the action.

begin to watch

Simple alternative that maintains similar structure but replacing watching with to watch.

get started watching

Adds "get" to "started" to slightly alter the emphasis but retains the core meaning.

begin viewing

Replaces "start" with a more formal synonym "begin" and "watching" with "viewing".

kick off watching

Uses the idiomatic phrase "kick off" to indicate the beginning of the viewing activity.

let's begin watching

Adds a suggestion element.

commence watching

Substitutes "start" with "commence," offering a slightly more formal tone.

dive into watching

Emphasizes immersion in the viewing experience.

get down to watching

Implies a readiness to focus on viewing activity.

initiate viewing

Replaces both "start" and "watching" with more formal alternatives, making it suitable for formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "start watching" in a sentence?

You can use "start watching" to suggest beginning to view content, as in "Let's "start watching" the new episode tonight" or "You should "start watching" that series, it's great".

What are some alternatives to "start watching"?

Alternatives include "begin viewing", "commence watching", or "get started watching". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "start watching" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "start watching" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. Formal writing may benefit from using alternatives like "initiate viewing" or "begin viewing".

What is the difference between "start watching" and "begin watching"?

"Start watching" and "begin watching" are largely interchangeable, but "begin watching" may be perceived as slightly more formal. Both phrases mean to initiate the act of watching something.