I have started

USAGE SUMMARY

"I have started" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the beginning of an action that has already begun. Example: I have started to read the book, and I'm already half-way through.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have started.

The New York Times

I have started 10.

The New York Times

I have started fund-raising.

The New York Times

I have started to do the same.

Independent

But I have started again.

The Guardian

For I have started to shake.

The Guardian

I have started from scratch here before.

The New Yorker

I have started to listen to them.

The New Yorker

"I have started to distinguish tastes of things.

The New York Times

I have started saying "ridic" and I don't like it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I have started asking for vouchers at Christmas.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I have started" when you want to emphasize that an action began in the past and has relevance to the present. For example, "I have started learning Spanish, and I can now hold basic conversations."

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "I have started". For example, don't say "I have started to learn Spanish yesterday"; instead, use "I started learning Spanish yesterday" or "I have started learning Spanish recently."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have started" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating an action that began in the past and has a connection to the present. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe the initiation of various activities or states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I have started" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate the beginning of an action or state that has relevance to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and used across various contexts. Primarily found in news and media, its usage extends to scientific and formal business settings. When writing, it's crucial to maintain consistent tense usage to avoid errors. Related phrases include "I began", "I've initiated", and "I am beginning", offering alternatives with varying levels of formality. Overall, "I have started" is a versatile and reliable phrase for expressing the initiation of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began

Replaces the present perfect "I have started" with the simple past "I began", indicating a completed action in the past.

I've initiated

Substitutes "started" with "initiated", implying a more formal or deliberate beginning.

I've commenced

Replaces "started" with "commenced", suggesting a formal and often official beginning.

I am beginning

Uses the present continuous to express an ongoing process of starting.

I've undertaken

Replaces "started" with "undertaken", suggesting a more formal beginning.

I've set about

Replaces "started" with "set about", meaning to begin or start doing something in an organized or purposeful way.

I am now engaged in

Expresses that the speaker is currently involved or participating in an activity. It emphasizes the current state of being actively involved in something that has started.

I took up

Expresses that the speaker has recently begun a task or hobby. It is a phrase that can express a variety of actions or tasks.

I've embarked on

Replaces "started" with "embarked on", meaning that the speaker is now engaged on that task.

I've dived into

Expresses that the speaker now is focused on a particular activity, usually a difficult task or task that takes some time.

FAQs

How can I use "I have started" in a sentence?

Use "I have started" to indicate that you began an action in the past and it's still relevant now. For example, "I have started reading a new book."

What are some alternatives to "I have started"?

You can use alternatives like "I began", "I initiated", or "I commenced" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

No, "I have started to started" is grammatically incorrect. You should use "I have started" or rephrase the sentence to avoid the repetition.

What's the difference between "I started" and "I have started"?

"I started" refers to a completed action in the past, while "I have started" implies that the action began in the past and may still be ongoing or have present relevance. For example, "I started yesterday" vs. "I have started now".