started to develop

USAGE SUMMARY

"started to develop" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something has begun to take shape or progress. For example: "She started to develop a deeper understanding of the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In these proglacial areas soils have started to develop.

Geoderma

yr BP onward, thick peat sequences started to develop.

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

Has the malaria parasite started to develop resistance?

The Guardian

Says Richardson (right), "We've started to develop our own voice".

The New York Times

Then he started to develop opinions of his own.

The New York Times

"To his credit, he really started to develop his body.

The New York Times - Sports

Some mice started to develop tumors around week 6.

Nature

That's where the concept of MyH2O started to develop.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Following that trend, Latin American institutions, mostly universities, has started to develop Cubesat missions.

Advances in Space Research

"But then you got the sense that she started to develop her own fiefdom".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

'So, this year, finally, I've started to develop my own projects.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "started to develop", ensure the context clearly indicates what is beginning to take shape. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "started to develop" is versatile, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Opt for more precise verbs that convey specific actions or stages of development, such as "emerged", "evolved", or "initiated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to develop" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of a process or the initial phase of growth or change. It describes the action of something beginning to take shape, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started to develop" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the beginning of a process, growth, or change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, especially in science, news, and media. While appropriate for both formal and informal writing, consider using more precise verbs in formal contexts for clarity. When using "started to develop", ensure the context clearly indicates what is beginning to take shape, and prevent overuse by using alternatives such as "began to evolve", "commenced to grow", or "initiated the development".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to take shape

Implies something is starting to become more defined or organized.

began to evolve

Focuses on gradual change and transformation over time, rather than just the initial stages.

commenced to grow

Emphasizes the process of increasing in size, number, or strength from an initial state.

initiated the development

Highlights the act of setting something in motion toward a more advanced or complete state.

set about creating

Suggests a deliberate and intentional effort to bring something into existence.

embarked on building

Implies a more involved and complex process of constructing or establishing something.

took the first steps in establishing

Focuses on the initial actions taken to set up or create something new.

saw the genesis of

Emphasizes the origin or beginning of something.

witnessed the dawn of

Suggests the beginning of a new era or phase.

found itself growing

Refers to automatic, organic development of something that 'just happened'.

FAQs

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

Use "started to develop" to describe the beginning of a process or the initial stages of growth or change. For example, "The company "started to develop" a new marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "started to develop"?

Alternatives include "began to evolve", "commenced to grow", or "initiated the development". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has started to develop"?

Yes, "has started to develop" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to indicate that something began in the past and continues to the present or has a present relevance.

What's the difference between "started to develop" and "began developing"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "started to develop" emphasizes the initiation of the process, while "began developing" can highlight the continuous action of developing. They are often interchangeable.