started joining

USAGE SUMMARY

"started joining" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "He started joining in on the conversation as his confidence increased."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Almost immediately, people started joining," he said.

The New York Times

People immediately started joining in, offering suggestions, encouragement and prayers.

The New York Times

Everyone started joining in, different sides, different parts of town.

The Guardian

It wasn't long before 8-year-old Steven started joining in.

The New York Times

"When female volunteers started joining the White Helmets, the community was not accepting of the idea.

The Guardian

Thanks to constant tweeting, it really took off and more businesses started joining, growing both the community and our brand.

The Guardian

That technology comes with a price, which is one reason cities and advertisers started joining forces to offer bike-sharing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"By the time I was 14 I started joined in the singing.

The Guardian - Sport

Rose senior volunteered as soon as the war started, joined up as a private and left as a major.

The Guardian - Books

"People start joining your party out of sheer opportunism".

The New York Times

"More ordinary people need to start joining the Met.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "started joining", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is joining. Be specific about the group, activity, or cause to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "started to join" when "started joining" is more concise and grammatically correct. The continuous form emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "started joining" is to act as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. It specifies that someone or something began to participate in or associate with a particular group, activity, or cause. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started joining" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the beginning of someone's participation in a group, activity, or movement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, from news reports to academic papers, and carries a neutral register. When using "started joining", it's important to specify what is being joined to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig's examples show that several authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to participate

Replaces "started joining" with a more formal and explicit alternative. "Participate" emphasizes active involvement.

took part in

Implies active participation in an existing activity or group.

commenced to associate

A more formal and less common way of saying "started joining", highlighting the act of associating with a group or activity.

started to engage with

Suggests beginning to interact or be involved with something in a more active way.

initiated involvement

Focuses on the beginning of involvement, suitable for describing processes or projects.

became a member of

Highlights the act of becoming a member of an organization or group.

enrolled in

Specifically refers to joining a formal program or course.

signed up for

Implies a more informal or voluntary act of joining.

entered into

Suggests formally entering an agreement, organization, or activity.

jumped on the bandwagon

An idiomatic expression implying joining something because it is popular or successful. It adds a sense of opportunism.

FAQs

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

You can use "started joining" to indicate the beginning of someone's participation in a group, activity, or movement. For example: "After the presentation, many attendees "began to participate" in the Q&A session".

What are some alternatives to "started joining"?

Some alternatives to "started joining" include ""began to participate"", "took part in", or "became a member of", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "started joining" grammatically correct?

Yes, "started joining" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of "start" followed by the gerund form of "join", indicating an action that began in the past and may be ongoing.

Which is more appropriate: "started joining" or "started to join"?

While both forms can be grammatically correct, "started joining" is often more concise and natural-sounding. "Started to join" can sometimes imply a more deliberate or hesitant beginning of the action, but "started joining" is generally preferred for its directness.