started to exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'started to exist' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate when something first began to exist or be available. For example: "Online retail stores have only started to exist in the past few decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The European Union came into being as a result of the Maastricht Treaty and started to exist on 1 November 1993.

The Guardian

Visites Possibles really started to exist when I got interested in creating architectural shapes with the analog signals, instead of abstract textures and such.

Vice

I'm not 100percentt sure when this particular fashion week started to exist between all the cruise, pre-fall, extra-cash, what recession?

Vice

They are isolated by the state, which is starting to develop public policies as if only now the trans community started to exist, after a soap opera showed that they are among us.

Huffington Post

Such comprehensive programs have started to exist in large metropolitan areas.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Hence, the state of affairs of a's ceasing to exist before b's starting to exist cannot be a complex containing a and b.

SEP

Finally, the main drawback of the proposed solution is that history-based policies cannot decide on requests prior to their activation, i.e., the system only records requests for each history-based policy after the policy starts to exist.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Second, as we proceed along the evolutionary trajectory, the mutations already start to exist in the evolutionary intermediates, so it is not even possible to introduce them.

eLife

When, in the process of a zygote's cellular self-multiplication, does a person start to exist?

The New Yorker

And I think that what you talked about and what that Washington Post piece talked about describes a level of organization that certainly doesn't exist now, and if it does start to exist, then people should wonder who's paying for it.

The New Yorker

Now, this phenomenon is starting to be recognized to exist in a large variety of protein-protein and protein-DNA complexes involved in intrinsically unstructured proteins, and thus designated as the 'fuzzy complex'.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started to exist" when you want to emphasize the initial phase or point at which something began its existence. It's suitable for describing the origin of organizations, concepts, or physical entities.

Common error

Avoid using "started to exist" for abstract concepts that evolve gradually over time. Instead, opt for alternatives like "emerged" or "developed" to better reflect their evolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to exist" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the initiation of existence or the beginning of something's presence. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "started to exist" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies the beginning of something's existence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for describing the origin of various entities, from organizations to abstract concepts. While considered neutral in register, it appears more frequently in news and scientific contexts. For more formal writing, alternatives like "began to exist" or "came into being" may provide a more sophisticated tone. Though Ludwig confirms its correctness, remember to use it thoughtfully, particularly avoiding its misuse with abstract concepts that evolve over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to exist

Direct synonym, using 'began' instead of 'started'.

came into being

Emphasizes the process of formation and origination.

originated

Focuses on the point of origin or creation.

was established

Highlights the act of setting up or founding.

was created

Focuses on the act of bringing something new into existence.

emerged

Suggests a gradual appearance or development.

arose

Similar to 'emerged', but can also imply a reaction to something.

took shape

Implies a gradual formation or development of a defined form.

sprang up

Suggests a sudden or rapid appearance.

commenced

A more formal synonym for began, emphasizing the start of something.

FAQs

What is a good substitute for "started to exist"?

Alternatives include "began to exist", "came into being", or "originated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "started to exist" in formal writing?

Yes, "started to exist" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing. However, consider more sophisticated synonyms like "came into being" for enhanced formality.

How does "started to exist" differ from "has always existed"?

"Started to exist" implies a specific point of origin, while "has always existed" suggests that something has existed continuously without a beginning. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight an origin or an eternal state.

Can "started to exist" be used for both physical and abstract entities?

Yes, "started to exist" can be used for both physical entities (e.g., a building) and abstract entities (e.g., a concept). Just ensure the context aligns with the idea of a definite commencement.