started to grow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started to grow" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that something began to increase in size, number, amount, or intensity. For example: As spring arrived, the flowers in the garden started to grow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cattails started to grow.

The New York Times

Then it started to grow.

The New York Times

Then it all started to grow dark.

The New York Times

The business started to grow.

The Guardian

Because they started to grow.

The New Yorker

That's when the business started to grow.

The New York Times

And the lesbian population started to grow.

The New York Times

In 2014 the Greek economy started to grow again.

The Guardian - Business

But then its members started to grow up.

The New Yorker

Having started to grow, Greece's economic recidivism is deeply frustrating.

The Economist

Eventually, the magazine started to grow a social conscience.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started to grow" when you want to indicate the initial phase of an increase in size, quantity, or development. For example, "After the rain, the plants started to grow rapidly".

Common error

While "started to grow" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound less sophisticated. In formal contexts, consider stronger verbs like "expanded", "flourished", or "developed" to add precision and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to grow" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a process of increasing in size, number, or degree. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse subjects, from economies to personal development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

27%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started to grow" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that signifies the beginning of a process of increasing in size, number, or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts. The phrase sees frequent use in "News & Media" and "Science", demonstrating its applicability across both general and specialized writing. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives like "began to expand" or "commenced to develop". While perfectly acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to expand

Focuses on the initiation of growth or expansion, similar to "started to grow" but with a slightly different nuance.

commenced to develop

Replaces "started" with "commenced" and "grow" with "develop", emphasizing the beginning of a process of maturation or advancement.

initiated growth

Replaces the verb phrase with a noun phrase, focusing on the act of starting growth.

began to flourish

Uses "flourish" instead of "grow", suggesting a thriving or prosperous development.

took root

Figurative language indicating the beginning of establishment and growth, often used for ideas or organizations.

showed initial growth

Highlights that the growth is in its early stages, emphasizing the beginning.

sprouted up

Implies rapid or sudden growth from a small beginning.

entered a phase of growth

Focuses on the transition into a period characterized by growth.

saw the beginnings of expansion

Highlights the initial stages of enlargement or increase.

started to mature

Emphasizes the process of maturing or ripening, rather than simply growing in size.

FAQs

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

You can use "started to grow" to describe the beginning of an increase in size, number, or development. For example, "The business "started to grow" after implementing the new marketing strategy".

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

Alternatives include "began to expand", "commenced to develop", or "initiated growth", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "started to grow" and "began to grow"?

While both phrases are similar, "began to grow" might suggest a more gradual or natural progression compared to ""started to grow"", which can imply a more sudden or deliberate beginning.

When is it appropriate to use "started to grow" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the initial phase of growth or development, whether it's physical growth, like plants, or abstract growth, like a business or idea. For example, "Interest in the project "started to grow" after the initial success".