started understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the beginning of the process of comprehension or realization about something. Example: "After several discussions, I finally started understanding the complexities of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"And I started understanding exactly what they were saying".

The New York Times - Sports

"I started understanding death when I was little," she said.

The New Yorker

"I started understanding roughly where I wanted to head.

The Guardian - Music

"When we started doing this, I started understanding it and liking it".

The New York Times

They got smarter and started understanding the more subtle areas of the game".

The New York Times - Tech

Probably a month into the season, she started understanding what we're doing".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"If we want to understand and conserve life on Earth, we had better start understanding and conserving the arthropods of tropical forests".

Science Magazine

You start understanding something.

The New York Times - Arts

"You'll start understanding what we're talking about".

The New York Times - Magazine

This is as good a place as any to start understanding Trump's victory.

The Guardian

"As a team, we've got to start understanding our defensive principles," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started understanding" to clearly indicate the beginning of a process of gaining knowledge or insight. For a gradual and long-term knowledge process consider "grew to understand".

Common error

While "started understanding" is generally acceptable, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "began to comprehend" or "gained an understanding" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started understanding" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a cognitive process. It describes the action of beginning to grasp or comprehend something. According to Ludwig's analysis, this phrase is deemed grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started understanding" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the beginning of a comprehension process. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's versatile and appears across various contexts, especially in news and media. While it's suitable for general use, consider more formal alternatives in academic writing. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the initiation, rather than the completion, of understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to comprehend

Replaces "started" with "began" and "understanding" with the more formal "comprehend".

grew to understand

Implies a gradual process of understanding over time.

came to realize

Shifts the focus to the point of realization rather than the process.

gained an understanding

Emphasizes the acquisition of understanding as a result.

began grasping the concept

Uses "grasping" to suggest a more intuitive understanding.

began to perceive

Emphasizes the initial perception or recognition of something.

developed an awareness

Focuses on becoming aware of something, implying an initial stage of understanding.

became aware of

Focuses on the initial awareness rather than the full understanding.

started to get the hang of

More informal, suggesting understanding a skill or process.

initiated comprehension

Formal alternative, highlighting the commencement of comprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "started understanding" to indicate the beginning of comprehending something. For example, "After the lecture, I "started understanding" the theory better."

What are some alternatives to "started understanding"?

Alternatives include "began to comprehend", "came to realize", or "gained an understanding". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

While "start understanding" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts (e.g., as an imperative), "started understanding" is used to describe a past action, specifically the beginning of a comprehension process. For example: "You must start understanding it" vs "I started understanding it".

What's the difference between "started understanding" and "understood"?

"Started understanding" indicates the initiation of a process of gaining knowledge or comprehension. "Understood" implies a completed state of comprehension. For example, "I "started understanding" the problem after the explanation" means you began to grasp it, while "I understood the problem" means you fully comprehended it.