started to hear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started to hear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the beginning of the process of perceiving sounds or receiving information. Example: "As I walked through the forest, I started to hear the distant sound of a waterfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"You started to hear rumblings," Bedoya recalled.

The New York Times

Then he started to hear voices.

The New Yorker

"We started to hear about that".

The New York Times

But I've started to hear people talk".

The New York Times - Food

There were ways across, I started to hear.

The New York Times

I started to hear human bodies hitting the floor.

The Guardian

Then she started to hear people singing on the street.

Independent

But after a year I started to hear voices.

The Guardian - Books

"We started to hear from inmates from around the country".

The New York Times

The Financial Services Authority started to hear about potential problems with Libor in 2007.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We start to hear screams.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using synonyms like "began to hear" or "commenced hearing" to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses within the same sentence. If you begin with "started to hear", ensure the rest of the sentence maintains a consistent past tense. For example, instead of "I started to hear a noise and then I hear a scream", use "I started to hear a noise and then I heard a scream".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to hear" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of auditory perception. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates its grammatical correctness and common usage, implying a beginning action of hearing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started to hear" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the commencement of auditory perception or information reception. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in diverse contexts. While alternatives like "began to hear" exist, "started to hear" maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication, predominantly appearing in News & Media. Understanding common errors, such as tense inconsistency, can further refine writing and ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to hear

Uses 'began' instead of 'started', offering a more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

first began to hear

Adds emphasis on the temporal aspect (first) of starting to hear something.

commenced hearing

Replaces 'started' with 'commenced' and uses the gerund form of 'hear', resulting in a more formal and less common construction.

became aware of hearing

Emphasizes the growing awareness of auditory input, rather than just the commencement of hearing.

initiated hearing

Uses 'initiated' which is a more formal synonym of 'started'.

noticed the sound of

Shifts the focus from the act of hearing to the awareness of a specific sound, implying a more conscious observation.

came to hear

Indicates the process of hearing something gradually or eventually.

picked up the sound of

Implies a subtle or faint sound that was initially difficult to perceive.

started perceiving

Replaces "hear" with the broader term "perceiving", encompassing more than just auditory input.

started to pick up

Highlights the act of gradually capturing or detecting sounds.

FAQs

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

You can use "started to hear" to describe the moment someone began perceiving a sound, like "I started to hear music in the distance". It can also refer to the beginning of receiving information, such as "We "started to hear" rumors about the company's financial troubles".

What are some alternatives to "started to hear"?

Some alternatives include "began to hear", "commenced hearing", or "noticed the sound of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "began to hear" instead of "started to hear"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "began to hear" can sound slightly more formal than ""started to hear"", as "began" is often perceived as a more formal synonym for "started".

When should I use "started hearing" instead of "started to hear"?

Both "started hearing" and ""started to hear"" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice often comes down to personal preference or rhythm within the sentence.