started to engage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started to engage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone or something beginning an activity or action. For example, "John started to engage in a conversation with his neighbor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

I started to engage more with mentors and lecturers who directed and encouraged me to stick at it.

The Guardian

I developed team skills because I started to engage in deliberate deflection of credit in an environment where it was all about credits.

The New York Times

"But in the last 18 months, family offices, private banks and hedge funds have started to engage much more seriously with us".

The New York Times

One key driver is the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, which started to engage local communities in projects that would help them to develop economically in 2003.

The Guardian

Then after a few years we started to engage with other key bodies in football – the PFA, LMA, FA, Premier League and Football League".

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Shi emerged without injuries but with a new resolve: "I started to engage in activities that required a lot of time to complete.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

I've noticed a lot more writers and readers starting to engage with games, because they now see the stories as becoming as engaging as novels".

Vice

"People can start to engage in crimes.

The New York Times

"We are just starting to engage in these conversations.

The Guardian - Books

The candidates are only now starting to engage seriously on foreign policy.

The New York Times

The cogs start to engage and — a good word is dread.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add variety, consider using synonyms like "began to interact" or "commenced involvement" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "started to engage" without specifying the object or activity of engagement. Saying "They started to engage" lacks clarity. Instead, specify what they engaged with, such as "They started to engage in community projects."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to engage" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action or interaction. Ludwig examples show it used to describe individuals, organizations, or entities beginning to interact or involve themselves in a particular activity or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started to engage" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the commencement of an action or interaction. Ludwig examples demonstrate its presence across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

For effective writing, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being engaged with and consider using synonyms like "began to interact" or "commenced involvement" to add variety. Avoid vagueness by specifying the object or activity of engagement. Keep in mind the primary purpose is to describe the start of involvement, so tailor your usage accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to interact

Replaces "engage" with "interact", focusing on mutual action or influence.

commenced involvement

Substitutes "started" with "commenced" and "engage" with "involvement", emphasizing the initiation of participation.

initiated participation

Replaces "started" with "initiated" and "engage" with "participation", highlighting the formal beginning of taking part.

began taking part

Emphasizes the action of participating from the beginning.

launched into

Replaces the whole phrase with a more concise expression indicating a sudden beginning of something.

became involved

Focuses on the result of starting to engage, the state of being involved.

undertook to participate

Highlights a more formal and deliberate initiation of participation.

set about interacting

Conveys a sense of purpose and intent in starting to interact.

turned to engaging

Indicates a shift or change of focus towards engaging.

embarked on engaging

Suggests a committed start to a process of engagement.

FAQs

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

You can use "started to engage" to describe the beginning of an interaction or involvement. For example, "The students "started to engage" with the new curriculum enthusiastically".

What are some alternatives to "started to engage"?

Alternatives include "began to interact", "commenced involvement", or "initiated participation", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, both are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. "Began to engage" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "started to engage" and "started engaging"?

"Started to engage" emphasizes the beginning of the process of engagement, while "started engaging" (or "began engaging") emphasizes the beginning of the action itself. The difference is subtle and often negligible.