started showing up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started showing up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something began to appear or arrive at a particular place or event. Example: "After a few weeks of uncertainty, more participants started showing up for the meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

And he started showing up at shows.

The Guardian - Music

Then the musicians started showing up to annotate their lyrics.

The New York Times

Soon the medical worker started showing up regularly.

The New York Times

He responded graciously and started showing up promptly.

The New York Times

Litters of kittens started showing up at her door.

The New York Times

"I just started showing up everywhere," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Kids will start showing up in, like, twenty minutes".

The New Yorker

She's hoping more dogs start showing up at Morningside Park.

The New York Times

Elk meat may soon start showing up more frequently, however.

The New York Times - Food

Other glitches will likely start showing up, too.

The Washington Post

The drivers start showing up at 5 in the morning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started showing up" to indicate the beginning of a pattern of appearances or arrivals, especially when the initial appearances were not expected or regular. Be clear on who or what started showing up and the context of their appearance.

Common error

Avoid using "started showing up" when referring to a one-time event. This phrase implies a repeated action or pattern over time. For single events, use "showed up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started showing up" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of a recurring action or appearance. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, as demonstrated by the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started showing up" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate the beginning of a pattern of appearances or arrivals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable in various writing contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it signals a change in behavior or a newly established trend. When using the phrase, ensure it reflects recurring instances rather than isolated events. Consider alternatives like "began appearing" or "commenced arriving" to add nuance, while avoiding the phrase when describing a one-time occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started turning up

A synonym that is more colloquial but has the same meaning

began appearing

Focuses on the act of becoming visible or noticeable, similar to starting to show up.

commenced arriving

Emphasizes the beginning of arrival, akin to starting to show up at a location.

initiated attendance

Highlights the start of being present at events or gatherings.

began to materialize

Suggests a gradual appearance or realization, similar to something starting to show up.

started to surface

Implies emerging or becoming apparent, comparable to things starting to show up after being hidden.

began to emerge

Focuses on the initial phase of coming into view or prominence.

started attending

Highlights the start of being present at events or gatherings.

commenced presence

Emphasizes the beginning of existence or attendance.

began participating

Suggests the start of involvement or engagement.

FAQs

How can I use "started showing up" in a sentence?

You can use "started showing up" to describe the beginning of a recurring appearance or presence. For instance, "After the advertisement campaign, new customers "started showing up" at the store regularly".

What are some alternatives to "started showing up"?

Alternatives include "began appearing", "commenced arriving", or "started attending", depending on the context. These phrases can replace "started showing up" without significantly changing the meaning.

Is it correct to say "started to show up" instead of "started showing up"?

Both "started to show up" and "started showing up" are grammatically correct, but "started showing up" is more concise and commonly used. The meaning remains the same whether you use the infinitive form "to show up" or the gerund form "showing up".

What's the difference between "started showing up" and "showed up"?

"Showed up" refers to a single instance of arrival or appearance, while "started showing up" implies the beginning of a pattern of appearances. For example, "He "showed up" once", but "He "started showing up" every week".