started to melt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started to melt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of something beginning to lose its solid form due to heat. Example: "As the sun rose higher in the sky, the ice cream started to melt, creating a puddle on the sidewalk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I started to melt.

The New York Times - Tech

It has started to melt with dangerous consequences.

The Guardian

Serving at 2-2, Hingistarteded to melt down.

The New York Times - Sports

The ice cream had started to melt over the brownie.

The New Yorker

The sun had started to melt the snow, but that created other problems.

The New York Times

"Everything around me looked exceedingly odd, as if the glue separating things had started to melt...

The New York Times - Magazine

As soon as it has started to melt, pour the hot espresso over the chocolate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"So," he recalled delightedly, "it was 'Three's Company' from then on out, and my brain started to melt".

The New York Times - Magazine

KIEV — As snow started to melt, the Vozdvyzhenka district here felt like it finally was coming to life.

The New York Times

The temperature has finally risen above zero and the snow has started to melt (and then re-freeze overnight).

The Guardian - Sport

Later, as her performers became more technically proficient, the spirited glue that held the troupe together started to melt; it was a lame circus act with no heart.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started to melt" to describe the initial stage of a substance changing from a solid to a liquid state due to heat or other factors. It's versatile for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "started to melt" too frequently in figurative contexts where more precise verbs like "dissipated", "weakened", or "vanished" would provide clearer and more impactful imagery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to melt" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a physical change of state, specifically from solid to liquid. As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes a process that has begun, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started to melt" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to describe the beginning of a melting process, both literally and figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with notable presence in scientific and lifestyle content as well. When using this phrase, consider the potential for more specific and impactful verb choices in figurative contexts to avoid over generalization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to dissolve

Emphasizes a gradual disappearance through liquid transformation.

commenced melting

A more formal way to express the beginning of the melting process.

initiated melting

Highlights the start or initiation of the melting action.

began liquefying

Focuses on the change of state into a liquid form.

started dissolving

Indicates a breakdown into smaller components within a liquid.

began to thaw

Specifically refers to the melting of something frozen.

initiated thawing

More formal and specific to thawing.

began running

Describes a liquid substance becoming less solid.

began dripping

Implies the liquid is falling in drops.

began softening

Emphasizes a reduction in firmness before fully melting.

FAQs

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

You can use "started to melt" to describe something that is beginning to liquefy due to heat, such as "The ice cream /s/began+to+drip started to melt in the sun" or figuratively, like "His anger /s/began+to+dissolve started to melt after hearing her apology".

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

Alternatives include "began to dissolve", "commenced melting", or "initiated melting", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "started to melted"?

No, "started to melted" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "started to melt", where "melt" is the base form of the verb.

What is the difference between "started to melt" and "melted"?

"Started to melt" indicates the beginning of the melting process, while "melted" implies that the process is complete or has progressed significantly. For example, "The ice started to melt" means it's just beginning, whereas "The ice melted" means it's now in liquid form.