starting to flow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starting to flow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or situation that is beginning to develop or progress smoothly. Example: "After a few minutes of brainstorming, the ideas were starting to flow, and the team felt more inspired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Money is also starting to flow back into real estate.

The New York Times

The tears are starting to flow and I can't blame him.

The Guardian - Sport

Already the money is starting to flow, mostly in the form of contests.

The New York Times

The turnovers that were so absent last year are starting to flow now.

Princeton University

So internal commerce and investment are starting to flow, and even some Gazans are moving there.

The New York Times

And, in contrast to the past, riches are starting to flow to social and charitable causes.

The New York Times

Mr. Mufson said that while money was starting to flow again, it was now going in a different direction.

The New York Times

Sharapova, her groundstrokes starting to flow, turned the screw and immediately broke back before effortlessly working her way to victory.

The Guardian - Sport

1.50pm: Damian Carrington emails: "Reaction to the BP report is starting to flow, and it's not going to be pretty".

The Guardian

With funding starting to flow, the stem cell revolution is now underway.

Cell

IT was getting toward evening in Swakopmund, on the desert coast of Namibia, and at Kiki's Pub just off Kaiser-Wilhelm-Strasse, the Pilsener was starting to flow.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "starting to flow" to describe processes or situations that are gaining momentum or progressing smoothly. It is effective in illustrating the commencement of a positive trend or development.

Common error

Avoid using "starting to flow" with abstract concepts that do not typically involve movement or progression, as it can sound unnatural. Consider alternative phrases like "beginning to develop" or "starting to emerge" for such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting to flow" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement of a continuous action or process. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as grammatically sound. The examples show a wide variety of subjects to which this phrase can be applied.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "starting to flow" is a versatile phrase used to describe the commencement of movement, progress, or development. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, be mindful of using it with abstract concepts that do not naturally involve movement. When writing, aim to describe the initial stages of a positive development using this phrase. As a quick tip, use it to describe processes or situations that are gaining momentum, or try some alternatives such as "beginning to emerge" or "starting to develop" to enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting to circulate

Highlights the initial circulation of something.

beginning to circulate

Emphasizes the initial movement or spread of something, similar to a liquid.

initiating the flow

Emphasizes the action of starting the flow.

commencing to stream

Focuses on the initiation of a continuous flow, like data or a fluid.

beginning to run

Focuses on the start of continuous movement or operation.

beginning to emerge

Highlights the initial appearance or development of something.

starting to issue

Highlights the beginning of something being released or distributed.

beginning to pour

Suggests a sudden and abundant commencement of flow.

starting to gush

Implies a forceful and sudden start of flow.

beginning to trickle

Suggests a slow and gradual start of flow.

FAQs

How can I use "starting to flow" in a sentence?

You can use "starting to flow" to describe anything from money to ideas to literal liquids. For example, "After a slow start, investment is "starting to flow" into the region", or "The conversation was awkward at first, but the ideas soon "starting to flow"".

What are some alternatives to "starting to flow"?

Depending on the specific context, alternatives to "starting to flow" might include "beginning to emerge", "starting to develop", or "beginning to circulate".

When is it appropriate to use "starting to flow"?

"Starting to flow" is appropriate when describing the initial stages of a process or the beginning of a smooth, continuous movement or progression. It is often used for tangible resources like funds but also works for intangible concepts like ideas or conversations.

What's the difference between "starting to flow" and "in full flow"?

"Starting to flow" indicates the beginning of something progressing smoothly, while "in full flow" suggests that something is already progressing at its maximum or optimal rate. "Starting to flow" indicates initiation, whereas "in full flow" signifies a state of efficient and complete operation.