started to appear

USAGE SUMMARY

"started to appear" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to something beginning to happen or become visible. For example, "Once the sun had set, hundreds of stars started to appear in the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1912 his satires started to appear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then some warning signs started to appear.

The Economist

The artifacts started to appear.

The New York Times

Wrinkles have started to appear.

The New York Times

Clues started to appear, but elusively.

Princeton University

Influenza cases have started to appear.

The New York Times - Health

Soon headless mice started to appear.

The New Yorker

She started to appear regularly on television.

The New York Times

But recently cracks have started to appear.

The Guardian - Opinion

The works started to appear sterile, rather than mystical.

Independent

Around the same time, art galleries started to appear.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started to appear" to describe the initial phase of something becoming visible or noticeable, especially when emphasizing a gradual process.

Common error

While "started to appear" is correct, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "began to emerge" or "became noticeable" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to appear" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of something becoming visible or noticeable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. The provided examples illustrate its application across various contexts, from physical appearances to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started to appear" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the beginning of something becoming visible or noticeable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal academic writing to informal news reports. The phrase is particularly common in News & Media and Science contexts. When using "started to appear", consider varying your language with synonyms like "began to emerge" or "became noticeable" to maintain reader engagement. Ensure proper grammar and context to effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to emerge

Replaces "started" with "began" and "appear" with "emerge", focusing on the initial stage of becoming visible or known.

came into view

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate something becoming visible.

commenced to show up

Substitutes "started" with "commenced" and uses the phrasal verb "show up", emphasizing the act of becoming present.

began manifesting

Replaces "started to appear" with "began manifesting", suggesting that something is becoming apparent or real.

initiated visibility

More formal, replaces the entire phrase with a noun-based construction indicating the start of something being visible.

surfaced initially

Emphasizes the initial surfacing or coming to light of something.

became noticeable

Shifts the focus to the state of being noticed, rather than the action of appearing.

originated to be seen

This version rephrases the sentence to emphasize the origin point of the subject being seen.

took shape gradually

Highlights the gradual development and appearance of something.

entered into existence

A more formal and abstract way of saying something began to exist or be apparent.

FAQs

How can I use "started to appear" in a sentence?

You can use "started to appear" to describe the beginning of visibility or emergence of something. For example, "Cracks "started to appear" in the wall after the earthquake."

What are some alternatives to "started to appear"?

Alternatives include "began to emerge", "became noticeable", or "came into view" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "began to appear" instead of "started to appear"?

Yes, "began to appear" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "started to appear". Both phrases indicate the commencement of something becoming visible or evident.

What's the difference between "started to appear" and "began appearing"?

"Started to appear" emphasizes the starting point, while "began appearing" focuses on the continuous action of appearing. The difference is subtle and often negligible.