started towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"started towards" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate the beginning of a journey or movement towards a particular destination, such as: "The hikers started towards the mountain top."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

I was troubled to see a young woman wandering here at this time of night and started towards her, to offer to escort her away.

Independent

Realising the seriousness of the situation, she got me to the car and started towards Royal Bolton hospital, which is about 15 minutes away.

The Guardian

"The buzz started towards the end of the first season, and by the beginning of the second, it just exploded," Ms. Field said of the latter show, on HBO.

The New York Times

He was tough enough, having done his bit for Mao in the People's Liberation Army; he also practised t'ai chi every day, to calm himself; and when security guards started towards his car he would just roar away, laughing.But the money he spent!

The Economist

"We hope that Syria will immediately become more tolerant in its attitude towards civilians and fully realize the steps it has started towards reforms in a way to persuade civilians," the semi-official Anatolian News Agency quoted Mr. Erdogan as saying.

The New York Times

The fourth stage started towards the end of colonial rule and continues into the years of independence.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

I start towards them but – too late – I have been spotted.

The Guardian - Arts

The man fires without hesitation, squints at the body and wearily starts towards it.

The Guardian - Film

"The recall will start towards the end of February," the spokesman added.

The New York Times

Pricing is particularly high in the Express stores, where it tends to start towards the top of the range.

The Guardian - Business

Rob starts towards Henry so Helen reacts.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started towards" to clearly indicate the initiation of movement, whether physical or metaphorical. For instance, "The company started towards a new market" clearly communicates a directional shift in strategy.

Common error

Avoid using "started towards" with static verbs that don't involve movement. For example, it's incorrect to say "He started towards knowing the answer"; instead, use "He started to understand the answer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started towards" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of movement or progress in a specific direction. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

26%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

HuffPost

4%

The Guardian - Arts

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started towards" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the beginning of movement or progress in a specific direction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a valid and usable phrase in English. While common in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing purposes. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with dynamic verbs and avoid misapplication with static verbs. Consider alternatives such as "began moving toward" or "commenced heading to" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began moving toward

Emphasizes the act of initiating movement in the direction of something.

commenced heading to

Highlights the formal beginning of a journey or movement.

initiated progress to

Focuses on the start of advancement or development in relation to a goal or destination.

set out in direction of

Implies a purposeful start of a journey or action towards a specific location or aim.

proceeded in route to

Suggests a methodical advancement along a planned path.

launched into trajectory towards

Emphasizes a forceful start with a clear path or goal in mind.

undertook course for

Indicates a deliberate decision to move in a certain direction.

embarked on path leading to

Implies a significant beginning of a journey with multiple steps or stages.

advanced in orientation of

Focuses on incremental movement and adjustment of direction.

moved in alignment with

Suggests shifting position to be in accordance with a particular direction.

FAQs

How can I use "started towards" in a sentence?

Use "started towards" to indicate the beginning of movement or progress in a specific direction. For example, "The team "started towards" their goal after the initial success."

What are some alternatives to "started towards"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives like "began moving toward", "commenced heading to", or "initiated progress to".

Is it correct to say "start towards" instead of "started towards"?

The correctness depends on the tense needed in the sentence. "Start towards" indicates present tense or a general action, while ""started towards"" indicates a past action.

What's the difference between "started towards" and "started to"?

"Started towards" implies movement in a physical or metaphorical direction, whereas "started to" indicates the beginning of an action or process. For example, "He started towards the door" versus "He started to speak".