when we started descending vs when we started to descend

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'When we started descending' is more commonly used in informal speech or writing, while 'when we started to descend' is more formal and precise. The choice between them depends on the level of formality you want to convey.

Last updated: March 17, 2024 • 943 views

when we started descending

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal contexts.

This phrase is commonly used in informal speech or writing to indicate the beginning of a descent.

Examples:

When we started descending, I could see the city lights below us.
The plane began descending as we approached the airport.

Show examples from the web [+]

Nov 23, 2010 ... It was when we started descending from there that we made our navigational mistake. The greenbrier was a bit annoying, and then we came ...
May 11, 2015 ... My ears never pop, they haven't for a long time. For example, I went on a plane about two years ago, and when we started descending, the ...
Mar 27, 2005 ... I was fortunately proven wrong when we started descending into the valley. The ground is literally covered with blooms and is an amazing sight ...
Sep 18, 2010 ... When we started descending from the lake, we met several groups of hikers, who we could tell were not used to all the walking and were ...

Alternatives:

when we began descending
when we started going down
when we started dropping
when we started moving downward
when we started to descend

when we started to descend

This phrase is correct and more formal or precise in its usage.

This phrase is more commonly used in formal contexts to indicate the beginning of a descent.

Examples:

When we started to descend, the pilot announced our arrival time.
The hikers started to descend the mountain as the sun began to set.

Show examples from the web [+]

When we started to descend and ready to land I did the reverse. Madelyn was back to 3L and a level of 92 once we landed. I did this procedure twice that day.
Aug 31, 2015 ... I was on this coffee induced, sleep deprived, Kenyan high when we started to descend to the gravel airstrip. I'm not kidding—10 feet from the ...
With Manfred i stayed pretty long on the pass. When we started to descend Hans and Adin came an made some steps with their Ice axes, The trail was very step ...
After my big dinner I reclined back and fell asleep on my comfy bed, waking up only when we started to descend into Bangkok. Even though I didn't pay for it, ...

Alternatives:

when we began to descend
when we started descending
when we started going down
when we started dropping
when we started moving downward

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when we started descending vs when we started to descend