started happening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started happening" is a valid and commonly used part of written English.
You can use it to describe an event that began at some point in the past. For example: "Strange noises started happening in the middle of the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Things started happening.

The New York Times

This just started happening.

The New York Times

Then things started happening.

The New York Times - Arts

Inexplicable events started happening.

The New York Times - Travel

But then things started happening".

The New York Times - Travel

Soon odd things started happening.

The New York Times

— everything started happening," he said.

The New York Times

It just started happening quick".

The New York Times

"Shit started happening," Hunter said.

The New Yorker

Miraculous things started happening.

The New Yorker

Things started happening fast.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started happening" to describe the commencement of events or processes, especially when emphasizing a change or shift in circumstances. It is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from informal conversations to news reports.

Common error

While "started happening" is versatile, it can sound less sophisticated in highly formal documents. Consider more precise or elevated alternatives like "began to unfold" or "events commenced" when aiming for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started happening" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement of an action or event. Ludwig AI affirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "started happening" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the commencement of events. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatile nature makes it appropriate for numerous contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain situations. Analysis of its usage patterns reveals its prevalence in "News & Media", and its relative infrequency in other contexts. When writing, be mindful of the level of formality required by the context, and consider alternatives such as "began to occur" or "events commenced" for more formal compositions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to occur

Replaces "started" with "began" and "happening" with the more formal "occur".

things began to unfold

Uses "unfold" to suggest a gradual revealing of events.

events commenced

Employs the more formal "commenced" to indicate the beginning of events.

developments arose

Highlights the emergence of new developments.

initiation of events

A more formal and abstract way of expressing the beginning of events.

action ignited

Implies a sudden burst of activity.

something came to pass

A more literary and slightly old-fashioned way of saying something happened.

the ball got rolling

An idiomatic expression suggesting the beginning of a process or activity.

activity sparked

Suggests a sudden and energetic beginning of activity.

things kicked off

An informal way of saying something started, often implying excitement or intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "started happening" to describe the beginning of a series of events. For example, "After the storm, strange things "started happening" in the town".

What's a more formal alternative to "started happening"?

For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "began to occur", "commenced", or "unfolded". These options offer a more sophisticated tone compared to "started happening".

Is "started happening" grammatically correct?

Yes, "started happening" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows the standard verb construction of "start" + gerund.

What's the difference between "started happening" and "began happening"?

The difference between "started happening" and "began happening" is minimal. "Began happening" might sound slightly more formal, but both phrases are largely interchangeable.