starts to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starts to think" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the beginning of a thought process or contemplation. Example: "As she listened to the lecture, she starts to think about the implications of the new theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Books

Film

Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

My brain starts to think in Spanish".

The New York Times

She starts to think about Jake trying to remember what he looked like.

The New Yorker

She starts to think, 'I have not much time left now'".

Independent

All this can be avoided, but only if Europe starts to think like Americans.

The Guardian - Tech

One starts to think: What's in it for Blatter and his cronies?

The New York Times - Sports

He understands how his body adjusts, how his mind starts to think.

The New York Times - Sports

Mrs. Delcart is felling low, and starts to think that her travelling is nothing but a waste of time.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The smog started to think.

The New York Times

Mr Batista started to think bigger.

The Economist

She started to think about drama school.

The New Yorker

"You start to think about your childhood".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "starts to think" when describing a gradual change in someone's understanding or opinion, as opposed to a sudden realization.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "starts to think" in close succession within a narrative. Vary your language to describe thought processes, such as "begins to wonder", "considers", or "reflects", to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starts to think" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a cognitive process. It describes the action of initiating thought or contemplation, as illustrated in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Books

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "starts to think" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates the beginning of a cognitive process. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, arts, sports, and literature. Its function is primarily to describe the initiation of thought, suitable for neutral registers. While highly usable, varying phrasing to avoid repetition is advised. Ludwig's examples provide a comprehensive view of its application across various authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begins to ponder

Emphasizes a more thoughtful and reflective beginning of a thought process.

commences to contemplate

Highlights a more formal and deliberate start of thinking.

initiates consideration

Focuses on the formal beginning of the act of considering something.

entertains the idea

Implies a consideration of a new concept or possibility.

gets to wondering

Indicates an informal and casual beginning of a thought process.

turns attention to

Highlights a shift in focus towards thinking about a specific topic.

arrives at the conclusion

Emphasizes the beginning of forming an understanding or judgment.

opens the mind to

Indicates a willingness to start considering something new.

realizes for the first time

Highlights the sudden beginning of a realization or understanding.

becomes aware of

Focuses on the initial awareness that triggers a thought process.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "starts to think" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "begins to contemplate", "commences to consider", or "initiates deliberation". These alternatives /s/begins+to+contemplate, /s/commences+to+consider, and /s/initiates+deliberation suggest a more deliberate and thoughtful process.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "starts to think"?

While grammatically correct, overusing "starts to think" can make your writing repetitive. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement. Use alternatives like "begins to wonder", "considers", or "reflects" for diversity. Do not overuse phrases such as /s/begins+to+wonder, /s/considers or /s/reflects.

What's the difference between "starts to think" and "begins to think"?

The phrases "starts to think" and "begins to think" are largely interchangeable. However, "starts to think" might imply a slightly more spontaneous or immediate beginning, while "begins to think" can suggest a more gradual or prolonged process. They share a very similar meanings and can be used alternatively.

How to use "starts to think" in a sentence?

You can use "starts to think" to describe the inception of a thought process or contemplation. For example, "As she listened to the lecture, she /s/starts+to+think about the implications of the new theory.".