we started to see

USAGE SUMMARY

"we started to see" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that began to occur recently or when you want to establish the beginning of a process. Example: After months of planning, we started to see progress in the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

That's the thing we started to see here.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then we started to see people move around.

The Guardian - Music

"We started to see this incredible transformation," he recalls.

The New York Times - Magazine

We started to see groups segregating along racial lines.

The Guardian - Opinion

A year and a half ago we started to see the signals: the economy was changing.

The New York Times

We started to see him as one of the shining torches".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"We started to see that there was value in our infrastructure," he said.

The New York Times

"And we started to see it sync up last year".

Los Angeles Times

We started to see each other.

The New York Times

"We started to see a difference quickly in the number of students applying to college".

The New York Times

"We started to see our first unicorns," Burton said.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we started to see" when you want to indicate the initial phase of noticing or understanding something, particularly when tracking a gradual change or development over time.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the phrase in contexts where a more direct and active verb would be more impactful. Instead of "we started to see a decline", consider "we observed a decline" for a stronger statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we started to see" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of visual or cognitive perception. It establishes the beginning of an observation or realization, as exemplified by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we started to see" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the beginning of an observation or understanding. It is grammatically sound and commonly used across a range of contexts, including news, science, and business. The numerous examples Ludwig provides demonstrate its applicability in various situations. The phrase holds a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While generally correct, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider more direct alternatives for stronger impact, as suggested by Ludwig AI. As Ludwig examples shows, alternative phrases such as "we began to notice" or "we became aware of" can offer subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we started noticing

Replaces "to see" with the continuous form "noticing", highlighting the ongoing nature of the observation.

we began to notice

Replaces "started" with "began" and "see" with "notice", emphasizing the initial act of observing something.

we perceived

A concise alternative replacing "started to see" with a single verb denoting perception.

we became aware of

Shifts from visual observation to a general state of awareness.

we began to understand

Shifts the focus from visual perception to cognitive understanding.

we commenced to observe

Formally substitutes "started" with "commenced" and "see" with "observe", increasing the formality of the statement.

we recognized the emergence of

Focuses on recognizing the arrival or appearance of something.

we detected the onset of

Replaces the entire phrase with a more technical expression indicating the beginning of something.

we noticed the first signs of

Emphasizes the initial indicators of something, making it more specific.

we witnessed the beginning of

Highlights the act of witnessing the start of an event or phenomenon.

FAQs

How can I use "we started to see" in a sentence?

Use "we started to see" to describe the beginning of a realization or observation. For example, "After the new policy was implemented, "we started to see" positive results".

What can I say instead of "we started to see"?

You can use alternatives like "we began to notice", "we began to understand", or "we became aware of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we began to see" instead of "we started to see"?

Yes, "we began to see" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating the commencement of visual or cognitive perception.

What's the difference between "we started to see" and "we saw"?

"We started to see" implies a gradual or initial observation, whereas "we saw" is a more general statement of having witnessed something at some point.