I've only just started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I've only just started" is a correct and commonly used in written English
It can be used in various contexts, but generally means that the speaker has recently begun something and has not made much progress. Example: "I've only just started this new job, so I'm still learning the ropes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I've only just started.

The Guardian

- But I've only just started.

The Guardian - Books

Gimme a break, guys, I've only just started.

The Guardian

I've only just started to relish the idea of not making a jam sandwich every day.

Independent

I've only just started reading this book, but already, I'm hooked.

The Guardian

"So really I've only just started doing my lifts again just before the beginning of February.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

I have only just started to read Nutshell.

The Guardian

"I have only just started looking after all this again," she said.

Independent

But just four years before I had only just started rowing.

The Guardian - Sport

It is now 10pm and I have only just started to work.

The Guardian

I had only just started back at work after a maternity leave.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place "only just" immediately before the past participle to correctly modify the verb and emphasize timing.

Common error

Avoid placing "only" at the end of the phrase, such as "I've just started only". This disrupts the idiomatic flow and shifts the emphasis away from the timing of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I've only just started" functions as a present perfect verb phrase where the double adverbs "only" and "just" work together to intensify the aspect of recency. Ludwig AI notes that this structure is used to bridge a past action (the start) with the current state of being at the beginning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I've only just started" is a highly effective linguistic tool used to emphasize the recent onset of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent presence in high-authority media outlets, where it serves to clarify that a process is still in its infancy. Whether used in a casual conversation or a journalistic report, it remains a grammatically correct and idiomatic choice. To vary your writing, consider alternatives like "I have only just begun" for more formal contexts or "I've barely started" to stress the lack of progress. Overall, it is a reliable and versatile expression for writers at all levels.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have only just begun

Uses a slightly more formal verb choice and the non-contracted form.

I just started

Removes the emphasizing adverb only for a more direct tone.

I've just recently started

Adds a temporal adverb to specify the timeframe more explicitly.

I've barely started

Emphasizes the minimal progress made since the beginning.

I've literally just started

Uses an intensifier to stress how very recently the action began.

I'm just getting started

Often implies that much more is to come, conveying enthusiasm.

I'm only at the beginning

Shifts focus from the action of starting to the current position in a process.

I've only just commenced

Replaces start with a formal synonym used in professional or academic contexts.

I am in the early stages

A more structured way to describe being at the start of a project.

I've only just initiated the process

A technical variation emphasizing the formal act of beginning.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "I've only just started"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "I've only just started" is a standard way to indicate that an action began very recently.

What is the difference between "I've only just started" and "I just started"?

The phrase "I've only just started" adds the adverb "only" to emphasize that the starting point was very near to the present moment, whereas "I just started" is a more neutral statement of timing.

Can I use "I've only just begun" instead?

Yes, "I have only just begun" is a common and slightly more formal alternative that carries a more literary or dramatic tone.

When should I use "I've barely started"?

You should use "I've barely started" when you want to highlight that very little work has been completed since you began.