started to move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'started to move' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an action that has begun to take place. For example, "The train started to move slowly down the track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He started to move on.

The New Yorker

Traffic started to move.

The New York Times - Books

It started to move.

The New York Times - Travel

Then the taxis started to move.

The New Yorker

Things started to move forward then.

Independent

"I started to move a little.

The Guardian

He started to move my breasts up and down".

Independent

The traffic had started to move a little.

The New Yorker

Jessica has also started to move her limbs.

The New Yorker

"Mike started to move her outside," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

She said no: Rew had just started to move strangely.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started to move" to describe the initial phase of motion, whether literal or figurative. For example, "The project started to move forward after months of stagnation."

Common error

Avoid using "started to move" excessively in close succession, as it can make your writing repetitive. Instead, vary your descriptions of movement by using synonyms such as "began to shift", or "got underway".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to move" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. It describes the initiation of movement, whether literal (like a car starting to move) or figurative (like a project starting to move forward). Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started to move" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the beginning of motion. According to Ludwig AI, it adheres to standard English usage. While it is frequently found in neutral contexts such as news and media, it also appears in scientific and business writing. For more formal situations, alternatives like "commenced movement" can be used. When writing, be mindful of overusing this phrase, and consider varying your language with synonyms like "began to shift" or "got underway" to enhance the richness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to shift

This alternative replaces "move" with "shift", focusing on a change in position or state.

commenced movement

This phrase is more formal, replacing "started" with "commenced" and "move" with the noun "movement".

initiated motion

Similar to 'commenced movement', this alternative uses 'initiated' and 'motion' for a more formal tone.

got underway

This idiomatic expression means started or began, implying a process or journey.

set in motion

This phrase emphasizes the act of causing something to move or start.

began its trajectory

This alternative is suitable when referring to a specific path or course of movement.

stirred into action

Implies a transition from inactivity to activity, often with a sense of energy or purpose.

entered in motion

A more verbose way of saying something started to move, adding a touch of formality.

awoke to mobility

This phrase suggests a sudden or renewed ability to move.

launched into transit

Implies a deliberate and purposeful start of movement, often over a distance.

FAQs

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

Use "started to move" to indicate the beginning of an action or process of movement. For example, "The car "started to move" as the light turned green."

What are some alternatives to "started to move"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "began to shift", "commenced movement", or "got underway".

Is it grammatically correct to say "started moving" instead of "started to move"?

Yes, "started moving" is also grammatically correct and often sounds more natural in contemporary English. Both "started to move" and "started moving" are acceptable.

What is the difference between "started to move" and "began to move"?

The difference is subtle; "began to move" is often considered slightly more formal than "started to move", but they are largely interchangeable.