started being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'started being' is a perfectly acceptable and usable part of a sentence in written English.
Generally, it is used when expressing an action that began in the past, and which continues (or at least has the potential to continue) into the present or future. For example: "Once they started being honest with each other, their relationship improved dramatically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sessions started being skipped, shortened or halved.

The New York Times - Magazine

Publishers started being a bit more adventurous.

The Guardian - Books

I started being able to do things.

The New York Times - Magazine

I started being invited to film festivals.

The Guardian

"They got aggressive, started being more physical.

The New York Times - Sports

Almost immediately, the championship parade route started being planned.

The New York Times - Sports

"My life started being awesome five years ago".

The New York Times - Magazine

I went out there and started being aggressive.

Independent

I started being interested in food purely by accident".

Independent

And that was when I started being afraid".

The New Yorker

"And that's really when he really started being successful".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started being" to indicate a change in state or behavior that began in the past and may continue into the present. Ensure the context clearly defines what "being" refers to.

Common error

Ensure that the sentence clearly specifies what is being started. Vague usage can confuse the reader. For example, instead of "Things started being difficult", specify "The project started being difficult".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started being" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of a state or condition. Ludwig shows examples of how it modifies other verbs to describe actions that have commenced. It is often followed by an adjective or a past participle to describe the new condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started being" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the commencement of a state, action, or characteristic. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, ensure that the sentence clarifies the specific state or condition that "started being" refers to, thus preventing ambiguity. Consider alternative phrases like "began to be" or "became" for stylistic variation. The phrase's frequency and widespread presence in authoritative sources underscore its reliability and appropriateness for diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the change in state.

began to be

Replaces "started" with "began", maintaining the sense of initiation.

commenced being

Uses a more formal synonym for "started".

initiated being

Similar to "commenced being", emphasizing the start of something.

came to be

Suggests a gradual or natural development.

turned into

Focuses on the transformation aspect of "being".

evolved into

Emphasizes a gradual change over time.

got to be

An informal alternative emphasizing a shift in status.

developed into

Indicates a more complex and structured change.

progressed to being

Highlights the continuous nature of the change.

FAQs

How can I use "started being" in a sentence?

Use "started being" to describe a change in state or characteristic that began in the past. For example, "He "started being" more helpful after the training session".

What's a simpler way to say "started being"?

Alternatives include "became", "began to be", or "turned into" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "being" after "started"?

No, "being" is not always necessary. You can often use a direct adjective or verb. For example, instead of "He started being angry", you can simply say "He "started getting" angry".

What is the difference between "started being" and "began to be"?

"Started being" and "began to be" are quite similar. "Began to be" might imply a slightly more gradual or formal initiation compared to "started being".