START TO

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"When feelings start to overwhelm, and deeper bonds begin to form, paths intertwine, guiding us toward shared destinies and understanding."

📖 Definition

"Start to" means to begin or commence an action or process. It's often used when someone youaction or activity.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

"Start to" means to begin or commence an action or process. It's often used when someone youaction or activity.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
"Start to" cannot be separated by other words.
Register
Neutral
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
It requires an object, typically an activity or action.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple start to They start to prepare the presentation.
Past Simple started to She started to learn French last year.
Present Continuous starting to We are starting to see results.
Present Perfect have started to He has started to write his thesis.

💡 When to Use

Commencing a task
Use when indicating the beginning of a specific task or activity.
Example: "I start to exercise every morning at 6 AM."
Initiating change
Use when a change or transformation is beginning in habits, situations, or beliefs.
Example: "She started to adopt a healthier lifestyle."
Developing feelings
Use when emotions or relationships begin to develop.
Example: "He started to feel more confident in his abilities."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect placement of adverb
❌ Wrong: They to quickly start the engine.
✅ Correct: They quickly start to use the engine.
💡 Tip: Place adverbs before or after 'start to'.
Confusing with 'begin'
❌ Wrong: She starts to learn at dancing class.
✅ Correct: She starts to learn dancing at class.
💡 Tip: 'Start to' needs a verb, not a noun.
Missing the object
❌ Wrong: They start to rapidly.
✅ Correct: They start to run rapidly.
💡 Tip: Always include an action after 'start to'.
Practice

START TO - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    Every morning, they start to jog in the park before breakfast.

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  • 2
    Listen to example

    After the seminar, she started to appreciate the complexities of the topic.

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  • 3
    Listen to example

    Officials started to implement the new policy after the meeting concluded.

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Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

begin to commence

Antonyms

cease

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Once the project gained approval, the team was able to ___ work."

cease
start to
halt
end

In Context

In 1903, the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, started to embark on a journey that would change the course of history. In their modest bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, they began to experiment with the principles of flight. While many scoffed at their ambitions, they continued to refine their designs and theories. By studying the mechanics of bird flight, they started to grasp solutions to achieve controlled flight. The brothers moved their experimentation to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, known for its strong, consistent winds. On December 17, 1903, after numerous trials and failures, the Wright brothers' machine, the Wright Flyer, took off into the sky, marking the first powered flight in history. Orville piloted the first flight, which lasted just 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. As they started to recognize their achievement's magnitude, their determination paid off, sparking the birth of aviation. Their success was not merely a technical feat but an embodiment of perseverance and ingenuity. The world started to take notice, and within years, the aviation industry began to grow, inspired by the pioneering efforts of the Wright brothers. Their humble beginnings and relentless pursuit set the blueprint for modern aeronautics, proving that dreams could indeed start to fly.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Start To

What is the origin of start to?

+
The phrase 'start to' evolved from Middle English, with the word 'start' deriving from Old Norse 'sterta', meaning to leap up or move suddenly. It has been used in modern English since the late Middle Ages to denote the action of beginning or initiating a new process or activity.

Can start to be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'start to' can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, it conveys the initiation of processes or actions, while in informal conversation, it often refers to the beginning of everyday tasks or experiences.

What is the difference between start to and begin to?

+
While 'start to' and 'begin to' can often be used interchangeably, 'start to' is generally perceived as slightly less formal than 'begin to'. Both indicate the commencement of an action or process, though 'begin to' may connote a more deliberate or official commencement.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

begin tocommenceset out toget goingkick off
Browse All Digital Nomads Phrasal Verbs
Digital Nomads Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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