started to form

USAGE SUMMARY

"started to form" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something began to take shape or develop. For example: "He started to form plans to take his business to the next level."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Cracks started to form on the surfaces of three of the four samples after different periods of UV irradiation.

Solar Energy

Tears started to form.

The New York Times

Around five, a mob started to form outside the door.

The New Yorker

A lump started to form in my throat.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Gasoline shortages had developed by Thanksgiving, and gas lines started to form.

The New Yorker

Once its backbone was exposed, the acylphosphatase started to form fibrils.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

And that's when the psyche of Sleaford Mods started to form.

The Guardian - Music

This showed that most mother cells started to form this aggregate already after budding three to four times.

eLife

On one such day, makeshift stalls sprang up around Piazza Caracciolo, and small lines started to form within minutes.

The New York Times - Travel

The thought of helping those children and their families started to form in my mind.

Huffington Post

We therefore used C24 and a time course experiment to determine the approximate time that callose plugs started to form.

BMC Plant Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "started to form", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is beginning to take shape. Be specific about the elements involved in the formation process.

Common error

Ensure the subject of the sentence is clear and specific. Vague subjects can make it difficult to understand what exactly "started to form". Instead of "Things started to form", specify what things are beginning to take shape.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to form" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the initiation of a process. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is standard English, employed to describe something beginning to take shape or develop. The examples show its versatility across different subject matters.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

44%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started to form" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the beginning of a development process. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely applicable across various contexts, including science, news, and general writing. The phrase indicates that something is in the initial stages of taking shape. While alternatives like "began to develop" or "commenced to take shape" exist, "started to form" provides a clear and direct way to express this concept. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in the subject and context to effectively communicate what is beginning to materialize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to develop

Replaces "started" with "began" and "form" with "develop", focusing on the initial stages of growth or advancement.

began its development

Similar to "began to develop" but uses a noun phrase to emphasize the development process.

started taking shape

Focuses on the physical or structural aspect of forming.

commenced to take shape

Substitutes "started" with "commenced" and "form" with "take shape", emphasizing the initial organization of something.

initiated its formation

Replaces the verb phrase with a noun phrase, highlighting the act of beginning the formation process.

began to materialize

Emphasizes the transition from abstract to concrete existence.

entered the formation stage

Emphasizes the transition into a specific phase of development.

originated to develop

Highlights the point of origin and subsequent development.

saw the beginning of its creation

A more descriptive alternative, highlighting the initial phase of creation.

germinated to appear

Emphasizes the initial appearance of something, often used in a metaphorical sense.

FAQs

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

Use "started to form" to describe the beginning of a process where something is taking shape or developing. For example, "The idea "started to form" in my mind after reading the article".

What are some alternatives to "started to form"?

You can use alternatives like "began to develop", "commenced to take shape", or "initiated its formation" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "started forming" or "started to form"?

Both "started forming" and ""started to form"" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference, although "started to form" may sometimes imply a more gradual or deliberate process.

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

"Began to form" and ""started to form"" are very similar in meaning, both indicating the commencement of a formation process. The choice often comes down to personal preference, as they are largely interchangeable.