The spelling of "start to" in English can be a bit tricky. The IPA phonetic transcription can help to clarify the pronunciation of this word. 'Start' is pronounced as /stɑːt/ with the 'ar' sound being pronounced as "ah". Whereas 'to' is pronounced as /tuː/ with an elongated "oo" sound. When these two words are combined, the pronunciation becomes /stɑːt tuː/, with a clear pause in between the two words. It is important to note that this spelling can also be written as "start to" or "start to".
The phrase "start to" is an idiomatic expression typically used as a verb phrase to describe the beginning or initiation of an action, process, or event. It implies the initial phase of an activity or the point at which something commences.
In a literal sense, "start to" refers to the act of commencing an action or movement. For example, "She started to walk towards the door" suggests that a person initiated the action of walking, indicating the moment when the person began to move in that direction.
However, the phrase "start to" is often used in a more figurative or metaphorical sense. It can indicate the beginning or onset of an intangible or abstract process. For instance, "He started to understand the concept" suggests that the person began to grasp or comprehend the idea or principle at that specific moment.
"Start to" can also imply a gradual or progressive initiative, signaling the initial steps in a process that is likely to continue or develop further. For instance, "They started to build their dream house" denotes that the construction process began, indicating that they were in the early stages of constructing their desired home.
Overall, "start to" signifies the initiation or commencement of an action, whether literal or metaphorical, and implies the first steps or the early stages of a given process or event.
The word "start" comes from the Old English word "styrtan", which means "to leap up" or "to jump up". It evolved over time to "starten" in Middle English and eventually became "start" in Modern English.
The word "to" comes from the Old English preposition "to", which has multiple meanings, including "in the direction of" or "toward". It has remained relatively unchanged in its form and usage throughout the history of the English language.
When the words "start" and "to" are combined, "start to" forms a phrasal verb that indicates the beginning or initiation of an action.