started to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a gradual positive change or progress in a situation, condition, or performance. Example: "After several weeks of practice, her skills started to improve significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The conditions had started to improve.

The New York Times - Sports

However, the numbers have started to improve.

Independent

Since then, things have started to improve.

The New York Times

I started to improve pretty rapidly.

The Guardian - Sport

Luckily I started to improve the next day".

The Guardian - Sport

So I slowly started to improve my English.

The Guardian

After that, her taste in men started to improve.

The New Yorker

And the overall economy has started to improve.

The New York Times

Some vigorous job-cutting had started to improve profit margins.

The Economist

In a number of regions, things started to improve.

The New York Times

But even as alliance talks began, things started to improve.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started to improve" to describe the initial phase of a positive change or development. It's particularly useful when highlighting that things were not always this good and that there's been a recent upward shift. For example, "After the new policy was implemented, employee morale "started to improve"."

Common error

While "started to improve" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "began to demonstrate marked progress" or "exhibited initial signs of advancement" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to improve" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the beginning of a positive change or progression. It signifies that a situation, condition, or skill has begun to show signs of betterment. Ludwig confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started to improve" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the beginning of a positive change. As noted by Ludwig, its straightforward meaning is widely understood and acceptable across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal situations may benefit from alternative phrasings. The phrase is frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, making it a versatile option for expressing the onset of betterment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to improve

Uses "began" instead of "started", providing a slightly more formal tone, but the core meaning remains the same.

started getting better

Combines "started" with "getting better" for a more conversational tone.

began to get better

Replaces "improve" with "get better", making the phrase more informal and accessible.

began showing improvement

Emphasizes the evidence of improvement rather than the act itself.

commenced improving

Uses "commenced" for a more formal and less common way to say "started".

initiated improvement

Focuses on the initiation of the improvement process rather than the process itself.

saw initial gains

Replaces "started to improve" with a phrase that suggests the first signs of positive results.

began to turn around

Suggests a reversal of a negative trend, implying improvement.

started to pick up

Indicates that something is gaining momentum or improving in speed or performance.

began to advance

Implies a forward movement or progression, similar to improvement.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "started to improve"?

You can use alternatives like "began to improve", "started getting better", or "began showing improvement" depending on the context.

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

Use "started to improve" to indicate the beginning of a positive change. For example, "After the intervention, her health "started to improve" significantly."

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

"Started to improve" indicates the beginning of an improving process, while "improved" suggests a completed or more advanced state of improvement. The first emphasizes the initiation of positive change, the second, the achievement of it.

Is "started to improve" formal or informal?

"Started to improve" is generally considered neutral and can be used in most contexts. However, for highly formal writing, you might consider more sophisticated alternatives such as "commenced to ameliorate" or "began to demonstrate marked progress".