Structure

I finished my business with my three friends, and as I started for home it started to rain.

I finished my business, and as I started for home with my three friends, it started to rain.

How about this?

It started to rain when I started for home with my three friends after I had finished my business/errands.

started for home makes no sense in English..

Lucas, my advice is that you stick to simple English rather than keep playing with paraphrasing of English. As a Cambridge ESOL Exam teacher, we emphasize on fluence first then only followed by accuracy. Otherwise, you're causing yourself tonner of problems and enquiries which are not beneficial at all to your English Learning Process.

to correct myself,

start for a place does have an entry in the dictionary...but in terms of Usage of English....It's not a common usage of English in written or spoken form.

'Started for home' is extremely common in spoken American English at least.

noted.

Probably you are right. However, I hope to know more various expression to describe the same thing. So, I can't agree that I should stick to simple Enlglish. Also, I am worried that the method you recommend can make learners bored. Although I respect your advice, but I still believe learning is not the same as going up stairs. "Easy, difficult and then complicated" can be the best way for teacher

AwenceAs a Cambridge ESOL Exam teacher, we emphasize on fluence first then only followed by accuracy.

Awence,
Do you mean "fluency"?

Awence.................which are not beneficial at all to your English Learning P

yes, a typo, fluency.

Lucas, of course you can be as avid as you want to be. But, there is always a process. Well, some whiz-kids are seeking a quantum leap in their learning. A matter of preference. As a teacher, I do not mean to limit the height my students can go, I only facilitate their learning process by showing them the ways. However, I did not come out with the methodologies, the