starting to achieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starting to achieve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the beginning of a process or effort towards reaching a goal or accomplishment. Example: "After months of hard work, we are finally starting to achieve our targets for the quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"But the progress that we're starting to achieve in reading gives us a road map for what we need to improve math instruction".

The New York Times

At eight, Temple was starting to achieve the "pretend play" that normal children achieve as toddlers but the lower-functioning autistic child never achieves at all.

The New Yorker

Companies will build two solar power plants in California that together will put out more than 12 times as much electricity as the largest such plant today, the latest indication that solar energy is starting to achieve significant scale.

The New York Times

In Working Girl, Nine to Five, The Secret of my Success, Broadcast News, and When Harry Met Sally, we see a succession of smart women starting to achieve in the workplace.

The Guardian - Opinion

The reasons include the significant price difference between hybrids and traditional gas-powered vehicles and that gas-engine vehicles are starting to achieve similar fuel economy ratings to hybrids.

The New York Times

We're starting to achieve now and have made massive strides forward".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But she certainly hasn't achieved, or even started to achieve, her ambitions in tennis".

The New York Times - Sports

This is what the new generation has been searching for, & what it has started to achieve.

The New Yorker

As we started to achieve good results we recognized that continued improvement required more personal engagement from our [department heads].

The Guardian

The aim will be to start to achieve something no opposition party has managed in the past 30 years – to bounce back to power in just one term.

The Guardian

Fiscal policy started to achieve the opposite of what was intended in 2011, when deep consolidation measures were introduced in Portugal, Ireland and Greece – the three countries on bail-out programmes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "starting to achieve" to highlight the initial phases of a project or endeavor where progress is becoming noticeable but not yet complete. This provides a sense of momentum and potential.

Common error

Avoid using "starting to achieve" when there is little to no evidence of actual progress. Ensure there are tangible signs that efforts are beginning to yield results to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting to achieve" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of progress towards a goal. It suggests an ongoing action where initial results are becoming apparent. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in various contexts, from academic improvement to business growth.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "starting to achieve" is a verb phrase that describes the initial stages of making progress toward a goal. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and conveys a sense of forward momentum and optimism. While its usage spans various contexts, it is most commonly found in news, science and formal business settings. To ensure accuracy, use this phrase when there is tangible evidence of progress, and consider alternatives like "beginning to attain" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning to attain

Replaces "achieve" with "attain", focusing on gradual acquisition.

commencing to realize

Uses "commencing" for a more formal start and "realize" for making something real.

initiating accomplishment

Focuses on the initiation of the accomplishment.

embarking on attainment

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey toward attainment.

setting out to accomplish

Highlights the intention and initial action toward accomplishment.

getting underway to fulfill

Indicates that something has started to progress toward fulfillment.

making headway towards reaching

Focuses on forward movement toward a goal.

gaining ground on attaining

Suggests incremental progress toward the goal of attaining something.

making initial strides toward achieving

Highlights the early steps taken to achieve something.

opening the door to accomplishing

Implies creating an opportunity to accomplish something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "starting to achieve" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "beginning to attain" or "commencing to realize". These options offer a more elevated and professional expression.

Is there a difference between "starting to achieve" and "achieving"?

"Starting to achieve" indicates the initial phase of progress, while "achieving" implies the successful completion or attainment of a goal. The former suggests ongoing effort, whereas the latter denotes a finished outcome.

When is it appropriate to use "starting to achieve" in writing?

Use "starting to achieve" when you want to emphasize that progress is underway but not yet fully realized. It's suitable for describing situations where initial results are visible and indicate future success.

What are some common synonyms for "starting to achieve" in academic writing?

In academic contexts, you might use synonyms like "initiating accomplishment", "making headway towards reaching", or "embarking on attainment" to convey a similar meaning with a scholarly tone.