started going down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started going down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decline or decrease in something, such as prices, emotions, or physical objects. Example: "As the sun began to set, the temperature started going down, making the evening feel cooler."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's when everything started going down".

The New York Times - Sports

"Everything started going down in the dumps," he said.

The New York Times

Initially, he said, the price of cows started going down.

The New Yorker

"It started going down in the early part of 2012," Dr. Tombari recalled.

The New York Times

"I jumped into the river in darkness as the ferry started going down.

The New York Times

I was living in the centre of town and we started going down there.

The Guardian

The catches started going down and Jayawardene could not believe his luck.

The Guardian - Sport

"Life has just started going down prior 1994, then I found myself sleeping on benches.

The Guardian

The 46-year-old ship, the Spiegel Grove, started going down as workers prepared to blow holes in it.

The New York Times

"As unemployment started going down, we saw an increase in references to Mr. Obama being a Muslim," he said.

The New Yorker

"But when these things started going down, they would not adjust their projections until the thing was at zero".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started going down" to clearly indicate the commencement of a decrease or decline. It's versatile and easily understood across various contexts, from describing market trends to emotional states.

Common error

While "started going down" is generally acceptable, it may sound too informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "began to decline" or "commenced to decrease" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started going down" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of a decline or decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and examples show its use across various contexts, such as describing economic trends or physical descent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "started going down" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate the commencement of a decline or decrease. Ludwig AI validates its usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media, but also within academic and scientific domains. While suitable for general use, consider more formal alternatives like "began to decline" in professional or academic writing to maintain a polished tone. Its frequency is very common, reflecting its widespread applicability in describing various downward trends or reductions. Remember to avoid overuse in contexts demanding higher formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to fall

Indicates a straightforward and often rapid reduction in level or amount.

began to drop

Similar to 'started to fall' but can also suggest a sudden or unexpected decrease.

began to decline

Implies a gradual and often inevitable decrease in quality, quantity, or importance.

began its decline

Highlights that the decline process is now underway.

commenced to decrease

Suggests a more formal and measured initiation of a reduction in something.

initiated a downturn

Specifically refers to the beginning of a negative trend, often in economic contexts.

began diminishing

Indicates a gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

initiated a descent

Emphasizes the beginning of a downward movement, often literal or metaphorical.

commenced sliding

Conveys a smooth or uncontrolled downward movement.

initiated a slide

Similar to 'commenced sliding,' emphasizing a smooth but potentially uncontrolled descent.

FAQs

How can I use "started going down" in a sentence?

The phrase "started going down" is used to indicate the beginning of a decline or decrease. For example, "The stock market "started going down" after the news broke".

What can I say instead of "started going down"?

You can use alternatives like "began to decline", "started to fall", or "commenced to decrease" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "started going down" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "started going down" might be perceived as informal in certain formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "began to decline" or "commenced to decrease" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "started going down" and "began to decline"?

"Started going down" is more casual and direct, while "began to decline" is more formal and suggests a gradual, often inevitable process. The choice depends on the intended tone and audience.