I finally started

USAGE SUMMARY

"I finally started" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has just begun. For example: "I finally started my new job today and I'm so excited."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I finally started to get ahold of the concept..

The New York Times

It took me till halfway through the shoot before I finally started to figure it out".

The New York Times

"I finally started paying attention to it, and I was like: 'Wait a minute.

The New York Times

When I finally started, I had two ways in, to make it approachable.

The Guardian

I finally started waving the $20 like some overeager patron at a strip club.

The New York Times - Travel

It took me 10 years before I finally started getting paid.

The Guardian

But its temperature had climbed to 58 before I finally started home.

The New York Times - Sports

I finally started to really understand who my mother was as a young woman, and what made her so unhappy.

The New York Times

As she told US Elle: "I got a divorce and felt like I finally started my career.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As I thought about it, I finally started to feel a surge of pioneer spirit, 21st-century style.

The New York Times

When I finally started Project Fireplace, I thought I could achieve my goal in the usual way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I finally started" to emphasize a sense of relief or accomplishment after a delay or struggle. For example, "After months of planning, I finally started writing my novel."

Common error

Avoid using "I finally started" when referring to actions that began immediately. "Finally" implies a delay or expectation. Instead of saying "I finally started eating as soon as the food arrived", say "I started eating as soon as the food arrived".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I finally started" functions as an independent clause expressing the commencement of an action. It often implies a sense of relief or accomplishment after a period of delay or anticipation. Ludwig AI shows the variety of contexts in which this phrase is used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Reference

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I finally started" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate the commencement of an action after a period of waiting, delay or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across various sources, especially in News & Media. When using this phrase, remember that "finally" implies a sense of relief or accomplishment. Alternatives like "I eventually began" or "I got around to starting" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Avoid using "finally" when referring to immediate actions. With an expert rating of 4.6, this phrase is considered a reliable choice for expressing the beginning of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I eventually began

Replaces "finally" with "eventually", emphasizing the time it took to start.

I have now begun

Highlights the present state of having started, implying the action is underway.

I was able to begin

Focuses on the ability or opportunity to start.

I got around to starting

Indicates the completion of preliminary actions before starting something.

I at long last initiated

Replaces "finally" with "at long last" and "started" with "initiated" to indicate a delayed start.

I managed to start

Highlights the effort or challenge involved in beginning.

I in the end commenced

Uses "in the end" and "commenced" for a more formal tone.

I proceeded to start

Suggests a forward movement toward beginning something after other steps.

It came to pass that I started

A more literary or narrative way of expressing the beginning.

I undertook starting

Implies taking on the action of starting something as a task.

FAQs

What does "I finally started" mean?

The phrase "I finally started" indicates that after some delay, anticipation, or effort, you have begun doing something.

What can I say instead of "I finally started"?

You can use alternatives like "I eventually began", "I got around to starting", or "I at long last initiated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I finally started to started"?

No, "I finally started to started" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "I finally started". Using "started to start" is redundant.

What is the difference between "I finally started" and "I just started"?

"I finally started" implies a delay or anticipation before beginning, while "I just started" indicates that the action began very recently without any prior delay. The first implies a sense of relief, while the second is just a statement of fact.