started to occur

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started to occur" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the beginning of an event or situation happening. Example: "After several weeks of observation, we noticed that the changes started to occur in the population dynamics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Beheadings have also started to occur.

Independent

Rapid oxidation started to occur at 450 °C.

Surface and Coatings Technology

What started to occur around the city was a consensus.

The New York Times

It has to do with the deleveraging that has started to occur and will be occurring for some time.

The New York Times

The problems started to occur when he was at school, a local comprehensive that O'Connell describes as "brutal".

The Guardian - Film

And the length of time the unemployed spend searching for work rises, as has already started to occur.

The Guardian - Opinion

"When he did not get the results he wanted, that is when we believe the additional bomb threat started to occur".

The New York Times

Then, as she began to write passages about her own adolescence and give them to Romy, a fusion started to occur.

The New Yorker

"Ms Diamond Stone then stated her and Ms Angie Stone started to argue, and that's when a physical altercation started to occur," the report said.

Independent

In situ electrical conductivity measurement during the reduction by hydrazine monohydrate vapor and thermal annealing revealed the existence of an onset temperature at which electrical conduction started to occur.

Carbon

Ethanol molecules have a dipole moment, they were aligned in the direction of the electric field, and the process of electronic/dipole-relaxation polarization started to occur in liquid ethanol.

Carbon

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the onset of a phenomenon, use "started to occur" to clearly indicate the beginning of the event or situation. This is particularly useful in scientific reports, news articles, and formal analyses where precise language is important.

Common error

Avoid using "started to occur" excessively in passive constructions. Instead, restructure the sentence to highlight the actor or cause initiating the event. For example, instead of "Mistakes started to occur due to the lack of training", consider "The lack of training caused mistakes to start occurring."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to occur" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement or initiation of an action or event. It's used to express when something began to happen, as supported by Ludwig's numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started to occur" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the beginning of an event or process. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, including scientific, news, and formal settings. While alternatives like "began to happen" exist, "started to occur" remains a clear and effective way to describe the onset of a situation. When using this phrase, be mindful of sentence structure and aim for active voice constructions to enhance clarity. As Ludwig's analysis reveals, this phrase serves a key role in effectively communicating temporal information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to happen

Replaces "started" with "began", maintaining the same meaning of commencement.

commenced to happen

Uses the more formal "commenced" instead of "started", indicating a more formal register.

began taking place

Substitutes "occur" with "taking place", focusing on the event's unfolding.

initiated to occur

Replaces "started" with "initiated" for a slightly stronger emphasis on the beginning.

started taking effect

Changes "occur" to "take effect", indicating the beginning of an influence or impact.

came into effect

Emphasizes the point at which something becomes operative or active.

began to unfold

Replaces "occur" with "unfold", suggesting a gradual revelation or development.

started to manifest

Substitutes "occur" with "manifest", indicating the beginning of something becoming apparent or visible.

began its course

Describes the initial phase of a process or event's progression.

started its process

Describes the initial phase of a sequence of actions or natural processes.

FAQs

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

Use "started to occur" to describe the initial phase of an event or process. For example, "The problems "began to surface" when the new system was implemented" or "Changes "started to manifest" after the treatment began".

What are some alternatives to "started to occur"?

You can use alternatives like "began to happen", "commenced to take place", or "initiated" depending on the context and formality level.

Is it better to say "began to occur" or "started to occur"?

Both "began to occur" and "started to occur" are grammatically correct and semantically similar. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired level of formality, with "began" often considered slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "started to occur" and "occurred"?

"Started to occur" indicates the beginning of an event or process, while "occurred" simply states that something happened. For instance, "The symptoms started to occur last week" suggests the onset of symptoms, whereas "The event occurred yesterday" simply states that the event took place.