started to occupy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'started to occupy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when describing the beginning of an activity or process. For example: After the first settlers arrived, they quickly started to occupy the new land.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Patrons now started to occupy lunch tables nearby, the gray morning giving way to a cold, sunny Berlin afternoon.

The New York Times - Books

Before they could do any further damage scores of activists and artists started to occupy the building, declaring the entire block an "autonomous cultural zone".

The Guardian - Travel

Let me plant this fact in your brain, my friend: it was since blacks started to occupy top positions at the World Bank that survival became very difficult for third-world countries.

The Guardian - Books

Some scaffolds have received further improvements broadening their fields of application, while others have started to occupy their respective niche.

Current Opinion in Structural Biology

When the Germans started to occupy, they were forced with tens of thousands of others to run for their lives.

Huffington Post

The real, heavy-duty occupations that, strangely, no one in America seems to be talking about, took place in France in 2009 when unions started to occupy factories and hold oblivious corporate bosses hostage in order to have their demands met in scenarios straight out of Godard's labour liberation epic, Tout Va Bien.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Army had surrounded the city and was starting to occupy police stations and squares.

The New Yorker

If, as a matter of programming, life events are dragged annually into the light, they start to occupy some new, all-encompassing version of the present.

The Guardian - Opinion

The violent anti-Vietnam war protests in Grosvenor Square had happened in March, Tariq Ali's leftist Black Dwarf newspaper had launched a few months earlier, and students were starting to occupy universities and colleges demanding change.

The Guardian

However, their M2M solution is currently available for the operators and starts to occupy some share of the market.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This is due to overpopulation of lower energy levels in the supercells with electrons, and thus electrons start to occupy higher energy levels.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "started to occupy", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being occupied, whether it's a physical space, a position, or a role. Provide specific details to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "started to occupy" without specifying what is being occupied. For example, instead of saying "The group started to occupy", specify "The group started to occupy the building" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to occupy" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the beginning of an action. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in describing the initiation of physical or metaphorical occupation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

36%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started to occupy" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the commencement of taking possession or control, often in physical or metaphorical contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and common in various sources. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for diverse communication needs. When using the phrase, clarity is key; specify the object being occupied to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "began to inhabit" or "commenced occupying" can provide different nuances. Understanding these nuances will help you select the most appropriate wording for your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to inhabit

Replaces 'started' with 'began' and 'occupy' with 'inhabit', focusing on residential or dwelling aspects.

commenced occupying

Uses 'commenced' for a more formal tone instead of 'started'.

initiated occupation

Highlights the act of starting an occupation, using a noun form.

began taking over

Emphasizes control or succession in occupying, with a slightly less formal tone.

started taking possession of

Focuses on the act of gaining ownership or control when occupying.

launched an invasion of

Implies a hostile takeover when the occupation started.

entered and occupied

Indicates entry followed by occupation.

began to fill

Focuses on filling a space, which can be a metaphorical or physical occupation.

started to dominate

Implies a forceful occupation or control.

took the initial steps to occupy

Breaks down the action into initial steps towards occupation, adding detail.

FAQs

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

Use "started to occupy" to describe the beginning of taking possession of a space, position, or role. For example: "Protesters "started to occupy" the park".

What are some alternatives to "started to occupy"?

Alternatives include phrases like "began to inhabit", "commenced occupying", or "initiated occupation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "commenced occupying" instead of "started to occupy"?

Yes, "commenced occupying" generally carries a more formal tone compared to the more common and neutral phrase ""started to occupy"".

When might "started taking over" be a better alternative to "started to occupy"?

"Started taking over" is suitable when emphasizing the idea of gaining control or dominance during the occupation, rather than just the act of occupying a space.