started to participate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started to participate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the beginning of someone's involvement in an activity or event. Example: "After a few weeks of observation, she finally started to participate in the discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Yet, NGOs started to participate in higher-level political activities and to construct NGOs' participation legitimacy during the process.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

I started to participate in various chats, but, as Meenoo did with English teachers, noticed that there wasn't one that was dedicated to history or social studies teachers.

The New York Times

"The low number of changes this past January suggests that many companies have started to participate in the strong economic growth, so the C.E.O.'s have a better track record to point to".

The New York Times

Some of Brazil's iconic soccer players of the 1970's, like Rivelino and Gerson, who were getting a little long in the tooth, started to participate in the new sport.

The New York Times - Sports

He started to participate in marathons and triathlons as therapy". A recurring narrative of hitting bottom, reaching out, then rebirth and the embrace of things like sport, travel or helping others echoes Bush's Christian understanding of redemption.

The Washington Post

"Researchers who have already started to participate in the competition for this funding will face serious problems.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

She ventured that Polyvore might start to participate more directly in e-commerce.

The New Yorker

He said he didn't start to participate in horse shows until he was 16.

The New York Times

"The really interesting thing about the network today is that individuals are starting to participate.

The New York Times - Tech

This is the moment when the robots start to participate in the all-too-human quest of what does it mean to be me?

The New York Times - Science

Engaging in international peace talks can seem a whole world away; some face resistance from male members of their families when they start to participate in politics.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "started to participate", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is beginning to participate in. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the activity, group, or event.

Common error

Avoid using "started to participate" without a clear object or context. Instead of saying "he started to participate", specify what he started participating in: "He started to participate in the team meetings."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to participate" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. The verb "started" indicates the beginning of the action described by "to participate".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started to participate" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase indicating the beginning of involvement in an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression. It functions to describe the initiation of engagement, appearing across various contexts from news and media to scientific and formal business settings.

While versatile, it's essential to provide clear context regarding what is being participated in to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "began to engage" or "became involved in" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. By specifying the activity and choosing the most appropriate synonym, you can ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to participate

Uses 'began' instead of 'started', suggesting a slightly more formal or gradual initiation.

commenced participation

Employs a more formal tone with 'commenced' and 'participation' as a noun.

initiated involvement

Replaces 'participate' with 'involvement', focusing on the act of being involved.

took part in

Uses a more common and informal phrasing.

became involved in

Highlights the process of becoming engaged in something.

entered into

Suggests a formal entrance or agreement to engage.

joined in

A simple and direct way to indicate joining an activity.

engaged in

Focuses on the active engagement in a process or activity.

contributed to

Highlights the act of contributing through participation.

launched into

Suggests an energetic or sudden commencement of participation.

FAQs

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

Use "started to participate" to indicate the beginning of someone's involvement in an activity. For example, "After observing for a while, she "started to participate" in the discussions."

What are some alternatives to "started to participate"?

You can use alternatives like "began to engage", "commenced participation", or "became involved in" depending on the context and level of formality.

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

Both "started to participate" and "began to participate" are correct. "Began" is generally considered slightly more formal than "started", but they are largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "participating" and "started to participate"?

"Participating" indicates current involvement, while "started to participate" indicates the initiation of that involvement. For example, "He is participating in the event" vs. "He "started to participate" after the introduction".