started to submerge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started to submerge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the beginning of the process of sinking or going underwater, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "As the storm intensified, the small boat started to submerge beneath the waves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

('Try to pay attention, 007.') What Clancy discovered … was that instead of writing 'The submarine started to submerge' you could write": The reactor coolant pumps went to fast speed.

The New Yorker

Once clear of the ship, we started to submerge.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Those that forget their lessons are rescued as they start to submerge and humanely dried out under a heat lamp, Dr. Sinclair assured his visitor.

The New York Times - Health

So I decided to start to submerge the paintings in tar in proportion to the amount of time they had served in prison.

Vice

Imagine you are at the top of a flight of 10 stairs which at the fifth step start to submerge into water.

WikiHow

Begin to submerge.

WikiHow

In a gesture of paternal tenderness combined with the umph of a furniture mover on the last landing, Lenny Addamo, Rocco's owner, lowered the 90-pound dog into the waiting arms of Jodi Richard, who was already submerged to her shoulders in 87-degree water and ready to right Rocco adroitly as he started to roll and submerge.

The New York Times

"Everybody had to submerge together and start playing dominoes at the same time and after 10 minutes everyone has to finish the game they were on and come up at the same time," he said.

BBC

Just make sure the figurines are plastic or ceramic, as other materials (like metal) may start to rust or turn funny after being submerged in water.

WikiHow

The rock should be just submerged when the tank water starts to overflow.

WikiHow

In the 9th year, the groundwater rises up to submerge the lower portion of the sliding surface and the slope stability starts to decrease.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary to make your writing more engaging. Depending on the context, replace "started to submerge" with synonyms like "began to sink" or "commenced submerging" for a change in tone or formality.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject is acted upon, which can make the writing feel weak or indirect. Instead of writing 'The boat started to be submerged', use the active voice: 'The boat started to submerge'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to submerge" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of an action. It describes the beginning of the process of something becoming immersed in water or another liquid. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started to submerge" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to describe the beginning of something being covered in liquid. Ludwig AI considers the phrase correct and usable in written English. While not particularly common, it finds use in news, wiki, and scientific contexts. When writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "commenced submerging" for a more professional tone or more common synonyms like "began to sink" for a casual style. Also, ensure you actively voice your sentences so that the subject makes the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to sink

Replaces "started" with "began" and "submerge" with "sink", offering a more common synonym.

commenced submerging

Substitutes "started" with the more formal "commenced", keeping "submerging" as the verb form.

initiated submersion

Uses a noun form, "submersion", and replaces "started to" with "initiated", making it slightly more formal.

began to be immersed

Replaces "submerge" with "be immersed", focusing on the state of being covered in liquid.

was starting to go underwater

Breaks down "submerge" into a more descriptive phrase, "go underwater", maintaining the progressive aspect.

initiated the process of sinking

Elaborates on the process of sinking rather than directly using "submerge".

became partially submerged

Focuses on the state of being partially underwater rather than the action of starting to submerge.

showed signs of sinking

Indirectly implies submerging by focusing on the indications that sinking is beginning.

was on the verge of submerging

Indicates an imminent action of submerging, rather than one that has already begun.

started going under

Simplifies the phrase to a more colloquial expression, focusing on the general action of going beneath the surface.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "started to submerge"?

Alternatives include "began to sink", "commenced submerging", or "initiated submersion", each offering a slightly different nuance.

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

You can use "started to submerge" to describe the beginning of something sinking, for instance, "As the water levels rose, the lower decks of the ship started to submerge."

Is "started to submerge" formal or informal?

"Started to submerge" falls in a relatively neutral register. More formal alternatives include "commenced submerging", while more informal options might be "started going under".

What is the difference between "started to submerge" and "was submerging"?

"Started to submerge" indicates the beginning of the action, while "was submerging" implies the action was already in progress. For example, "The submarine started to submerge" means it just began, while "The submarine was submerging" means it was already underway.