they started for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they started for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone beginning a journey. Example: After saying their goodbyes, they started for their long journey across the country.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

On June 8 they started for the summit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At 6.55pm, Nadal struck long, two hours and 45 minutes after they started for just the second break of the match.

The Guardian - Sport

"But [the riots] are not related, in that they started for very different reasons.

BBC

How they started For GSEA Global Finals First Runner-up Alex MacLean, it all started with an $800 loan he borrowed from his dad for an idea he had from an entrepreneurship class he was taking.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Then on two occasions they started asking for Americans.

The New York Times - Arts

"Kids heard that and they started running for the door.

The New York Times

"I think they started rooting for me then," May said.

The New York Times - Sports

But they knew I wasn't a believer, and they started praying for me.

The New Yorker

After burying the hatchet they began dating, and in spring 2007 they started looking for an apartment.

The New York Times

And since they started pushing for an inquiry, the Cazares women have not stopped.

The New York Times

They started looking for space in Manhattan but soon had Brooklyn on the radar.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they started for" when you want to clearly indicate the beginning of a journey or movement toward a specific destination. Be mindful that there are more popular alternatives such as "they headed for" or "they left for".

Common error

Avoid using "started to" when you intend to convey direction. "Started to" implies the beginning of an action or state, while "started for" indicates movement toward a place. For example, instead of "They started to the store", use "They started for the store".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they started for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a journey or movement towards a destination. It describes the action of beginning to travel in a specific direction, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they started for" is used to denote the beginning of a journey or movement towards a destination. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, though the examples suggest it is relatively rare in contemporary usage. While examples can be found across news, encyclopedias and science, it may be more effective to use alternatives like "they headed to" or "they left for", which are more commonplace in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they set off towards

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey with a specific direction. It is slightly more formal.

they set out in the direction of

Similar to "they set off towards" but with a slightly more emphatic tone on direction.

they departed towards

Highlights the act of leaving for a destination. It's a more formal and less common alternative.

they headed out for

Suggests a casual departure towards a destination. It is more informal than "started for".

they made their way to

Focuses on the process of moving towards a location. It implies a more deliberate journey.

they went towards

A simpler and more direct way of saying they moved in a specific direction. Less descriptive.

they proceeded in the direction of

Indicates a formal and methodical advancement. It's a less common and more elaborate alternative.

they commenced towards

Uses a more formal verb "commenced" to indicate the start of the journey.

they began their trek to

Specifically implies a long and arduous journey to a certain place.

they turned their attention to

Shifts the focus from physical movement to starting a task or project. It changes the meaning slightly.

FAQs

How can I use "they started for" in a sentence?

Use "they started for" to indicate that a group of people began a journey or headed in a specific direction. For instance, "After packing their bags, "they started for" the airport".

What are some alternatives to "they started for"?

Some alternatives include "they headed to", "they left for", or "they set off for", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "they started for" or "they headed to"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "they headed to" is more commonly used in contemporary English. "They started for" is less frequent but still valid.

What is the difference between "they started for" and "they started to"?

"They started for" indicates movement towards a location, while "they started to" indicates the beginning of an action. For example, "They started for the mountains" versus "They started to climb".