started to influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started to influence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the beginning of a process where one thing begins to have an effect on another. Example: "The new policy started to influence employee productivity positively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Increasingly, our conversations were about storytelling, and we started to influence each other's work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The anti-Washington message of their candidate started to influence the way that some staffers saw themselves.

The New Yorker

Javi Martínez and Bastian Schweinsteiger controlled midfield, ensuring there was never a single part of the match when Messi started to influence the tempo.

The Guardian - Sport

Bashford, a rare breed of clothier, knew how to define the look of a city, long before blogs, Instagram, and Snapchat started to influence people's sartorial selections.

The New Yorker

Technology started to influence the way Africa develops in a big way with the introduction of GSM services in the late 1990s.

The Guardian

Not until the confessional diaries and novels of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries started to influence bourgeois notions of what Jane Austen called "connubial felicity" did romance begin its steady ascent in the marital realm.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

There are signs that Kaepernick's actions are starting to influence other athletes.

The Guardian - Sport

Conditions are also starting to influence the cost of oil as people turn up their radiators.

The Economist

A person who becomes a preferred vendor can start to influence the consumer culture of a whole team.

The New York Times

Perhaps the most interesting development is that the worlds of Bollywood and Hindie are starting to influence each other.

The Economist

But the economics of happiness or wellbeing is now a growing and respected discipline within economics that is starting to influence politicians.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started to influence" when describing the initial phase of a process where one entity or concept begins to have an impact on another. Ensure the context clearly defines both the influencer and the influenced.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overuse of "started to influence" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise verbs depending on the nature of the influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to influence" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable construction. It specifies the beginning of an impact or effect, which is supported by examples across different domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "started to influence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the commencement of an impact or effect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's valid and usable in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "began to affect" or "commenced influencing" exist, "started to influence" is a clear and effective way to communicate the initiation of an influencing process. When writing, remember its neutral register and consider stronger verbs in highly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to affect

Focuses on the initiation of impact or change, similar to influencing.

started affecting

A more direct way of saying influence and highlighting the effect.

began to impact

Highlights the initial effect or consequence on something.

commenced influencing

Emphasizes the formal start of the influencing process.

initiated influence

Highlights the action of beginning to exert influence.

first began influencing

Adds emphasis to the initial nature of the influence.

exerted initial influence

Focuses on the exertion of influence right from the start.

began to shape

Indicates the beginning of molding or directing something.

commenced to sway

Implies beginning to persuade or change someone's opinion.

started having an effect

Replaces influence with a more generic phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "started to influence" to describe the beginning of an effect. For instance, "The new regulations "started to influence" market behavior".

What are some alternatives to "started to influence"?

Alternatives include "began to affect", "began to impact", or "commenced influencing" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "began to influence" instead of "started to influence"?

Yes, "began to influence" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating the commencement of influence.

What's the difference between "started to influence" and "influenced"?

"Started to influence" emphasizes the beginning of the influencing process, while "influenced" simply states that influence has occurred without specifying when it began.