started to excel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started to excel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the beginning of a period where someone or something begins to perform exceptionally well or improve significantly. Example: "After months of practice, she finally started to excel in her piano lessons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I started to excel in school again and reconnected with old friends.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Once you start to excel at something, you will win praise, admiration and satisfaction.

Huffington Post

"Once a child starts to excel at something," she writes, "he or she gets praise, admiration and satisfaction.

Huffington Post

Research shows that after a few years in dual-language programs, students typically start to excel in both languages. .

Huffington Post

My friends were all starting to excel in their work as well, so it was fun to see everyone so successful and happy.

Huffington Post

Once I started to really excel in pole and aerial, people started asking if I ever tried doing it while singing opera, so I started testing the waters with that about a year ago to see what was possible.

Huffington Post

Tempers flared amid PowerPoint chaos, and Excel started to look like an Escher drawing.

The Economist

While I had always excelled at every class subject, my grades started to decline in high school.

Huffington Post

I've always excelled academically, but when my anxiety was really bad, my marks started to plummet.

Huffington Post

Negreanu has started to view tournament footage the way football coaches do game tapes, tracking his findings on Excel spreadsheets.

The New Yorker

The boos grew louder when the Eagles stumbled to an 0-4 start but McNabb won the starting job and Staley continued to excel.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started to excel" to mark a turning point where effort or conditions begin to yield noticeable positive results. It's effective for highlighting a shift from mediocrity to superior performance.

Common error

Avoid using "started to excel" when describing a brief, isolated success. "Excel" implies sustained superior performance, not just a momentary achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to excel" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of superior performance or achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its use across different contexts. It describes a shift from average to outstanding performance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "started to excel" effectively conveys the beginning of a period marked by significant improvement and superior performance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread presence, particularly in News & Media sources. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a sustained shift toward excellence rather than an isolated success. Alternatives such as "began to thrive" or "commenced to shine" can offer nuanced variations in meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to thrive

Suggests a flourishing or vigorous development, implying a broader sense of growth beyond mere competence.

commenced to shine

Implies a noticeable display of talent or skill, emphasizing a positive and attractive performance.

initiated to flourish

Highlights the commencement of a period of prosperity and vigorous growth.

rose to prominence

Indicates an ascent to a position of importance or recognition, focusing on achieving a higher status.

began to distinguish oneself

Emphasizes standing out from others due to exceptional qualities or achievements.

started to take off

Suggests a rapid and successful beginning of a journey towards achieving goals.

began to improve significantly

Focuses on the marked improvement in performance or quality.

started to gain traction

Implies increasing popularity or acceptance, suggesting progress and momentum.

began to achieve success

Focuses on the attainment of favorable outcomes or accomplishments.

started showing promise

Highlights the initial signs of potential for future success or excellence.

FAQs

What does "started to excel" mean?

The phrase "started to excel" indicates the beginning of a period where someone or something begins to perform exceptionally well or improve significantly.

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

You can use "started to excel" to describe when someone's performance begins to significantly improve, for example, "After months of practice, she "started to excel" in her piano lessons."

What can I say instead of "started to excel"?

You can use alternatives like "began to thrive", "commenced to shine", or "rose to prominence" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "started to excel" and "started to improve"?

"Started to improve" suggests a general betterment, while "started to excel" indicates a movement towards outstanding performance.