started to be used

USAGE SUMMARY

"started to be used" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about the beginning of something coming into widespread use or becoming a popular trend. For example, "Self-checkout machines started to be used in supermarkets in the early 2000s."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The word "avoid" has started to be used less often.

The Economist

It has started to be used as a biomarker of treatment efficacy in human diseases.

European Neuropsychopharmacology

The survey also includes a section on drugs that have started to be used recently.

The Guardian

Deliveries were made on horseback until stagecoaches started to be used in 1785.

The New York Times

Due to its ergonomic design and user-friendliness, tablet PCs have started to be used in education.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

In the following decades these systems started to be used in mechanical cooling of office buildings and auditoriums.

Building and Environment

In the eighteenth century the concept started to be used to refer to sensory pleasure and delight.

Product Experience

More recently, membranes have started to be used in membrane bioreactors or on secondary wastewater effluents for reuse application.

Desalination

Project based learning which has origin grounded on architecture, is started to be used in also primary education today.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

If chemical weapons started to be used more frequently, that would have an impact on people living in Britain.

The Guardian

There had been fishermen's huts there for centuries and in the 1950s they started to be used for holidays.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the adoption of a trend, technique, or technology, use "started to be used" to clearly indicate the beginning of its application. For instance, "Social media marketing started to be used extensively after 2010".

Common error

While "started to be used" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem vague. Consider active constructions when appropriate. Instead of "The software started to be used by the team", try "The team started using the software".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to be used" functions as a verbal phrase in the passive voice, indicating the beginning of a process or action. It describes when something transitioned from not being utilized to being actively in use. This is supported by examples provided by Ludwig, showing its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started to be used" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction that indicates the beginning of a process or action. As shown by Ludwig's AI, it's commonly used in various contexts, especially in science and news media. While generally acceptable, it's advisable to consider active voice alternatives for more direct and engaging writing. When aiming for formality, consider using "began to be employed" or "commenced being utilized". Ultimately, understanding its function and context ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to be employed

Replaces "used" with "employed", suggesting a slightly more formal or deliberate application.

commenced being utilized

Substitutes "started" with "commenced" and "used" with "utilized", increasing the formality.

was initially adopted

Focuses on the initial adoption phase of a practice or technology.

became implemented

Focuses on the implementation aspect rather than general usage.

came into application

Highlights the transition into a practical or applied state.

initiated for use

Emphasizes the initiation or beginning of the usage process.

saw its first application

Highlights the first instance of something being applied.

ushered in its use

Implies a more significant or impactful introduction of the usage.

was launched for application

Suggests a formal launch or introduction for a specific application.

entered into service

Often used when something new, like a technology or system, starts being actively used or operated.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "started to be used" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "began to be employed" or "commenced being utilized". These options add a level of sophistication to your writing.

What's a simpler way to say "started to be used"?

You could use phrases like "began to use" or "started using". These are more direct and can be more suitable for informal contexts.

Is "started to be used" passive voice?

Yes, "started to be used" is in the passive voice. It emphasizes the object being acted upon rather than the actor. If you want to highlight who initiated the action, use the active voice, such as "They started using it".

When is it appropriate to use "started to be used" instead of "began to use"?

Both "started to be used" and "began to use" are generally interchangeable. However, "started to be used" may be preferred when you want to emphasize the process or gradual adoption of something, while "began to use" focuses more on the simple action of starting.