started to make

USAGE SUMMARY

"started to make" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating the beginning of an action related to creating or producing something. Example: "She started to make dinner when the phone rang." Alternative expressions include "began to create" and "commenced making."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I started to make a lighthearted rejoinder.

The New York Times

alles started to make a little sense.

The New York Times

Then she started to make noise.

The New Yorker

We have started to make mistakes.

Independent

We also started to make larger donations.

The New York Times

And it started to make me think.

Independent

He laughed and started to make tea.

The New Yorker

We started to make some calls.

The New York Times

The ThunderStix started to make more noise.

The New York Times - Sports

Lots of things started to make sense".

The Guardian - Sport

Asmerom started to make a move.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing when choosing "started to make". For more formal contexts, synonyms like "commenced to produce" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "started to make" without a clear indication of what is being made. For instance, instead of "They started to make", specify "They started to make dinner" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "started to make" is to act as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase introduces the beginning of a process or activity, such as making tea, jokes, or mistakes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started to make" is a grammatically correct and versatile verb phrase used to describe the initiation of an action, particularly in the context of creating or producing something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, with a neutral tone suitable for both professional and informal communication. While synonyms such as "began to create" or "commenced making" exist for more formal usage, "started to make" remains a clear and effective choice. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying the object being made. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, followed by Science. It's a useful addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to create

Replaces "started" with "began", maintaining the sense of initiation, and uses the synonym "create" for "make".

commenced to produce

Uses more formal synonyms "commenced" and "produce" to convey the start of a creation process.

initiated the process of making

Emphasizes the start of a process with a slightly more elaborate structure.

set about creating

Implies a determined start to a creative activity.

undertook to construct

Suggests a formal and planned beginning of building or making something.

got down to making

Uses a more informal tone, suggesting a casual start to the making process.

launched into creating

Implies an energetic and enthusiastic start to a creation.

pioneered the making of

Suggests being the first to start making something, emphasizing innovation.

originated the creation of

Highlights the origin or invention aspect of starting to make something.

prepared to craft

Suggests readiness and intention to start crafting something, emphasizing skill and artistry.

FAQs

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

You can use "started to make" to describe the beginning of creating or producing something, like "She "started to make" a cake" or "He "started to make" plans for the future".

What are some alternatives to "started to make"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "began to create", "commenced making", or "initiated the process of making" to replace ""started to make"".

Is "started to make" grammatically correct?

Yes, ""started to make"" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate the beginning of an action.

What's the difference between "started making" and "started to make"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "started making" is often considered more concise and natural. "Started to make" emphasizes the intention or process of beginning the action.