I immediately started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I immediately started" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you began an action right away without delay. Example: "After receiving the news, I immediately started preparing for the upcoming presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I immediately started to cry.

The Guardian

I immediately started trying myself".

The Guardian - Books

"And I immediately started thinking, 'Where's Flintoff?

The Guardian - Sport

"I immediately started looking for flights back".

The New York Times

Sitting down at a table, I immediately started to cry.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I immediately started stalking Jean-Luc," she said.

The New Yorker

"So I immediately started drumming up some thoughts".

The New York Times

"I immediately started neglecting my classes to spend time making videos".

The New Yorker

After the door closed behind him, Anne and I immediately started joking around.

The New York Times

I immediately started reading the book, but I bought it because of his picture".

The Guardian - Film

So I immediately started talking about speaking up and moving fast.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I immediately started" to clearly convey that an action began without any delay. It's a straightforward way to emphasize the promptness of your response or initiative.

Common error

While "I immediately started" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing where more sophisticated synonyms like "I commenced forthwith" or "I initiated without delay" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I immediately started" functions as an independent clause, serving to narrate a past action that the speaker initiated without any delay. Ludwig AI confirms this as the phrase is found in numerous contexts indicating direct action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Huffington Post

16%

Vice

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I immediately started" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for indicating that an action was begun without delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in various contexts, particularly in news and media sources. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "I commenced right away" in professional or academic writing. To ensure clarity and avoid monotony, writers can use synonyms such as "instantly", "promptly", or "without delay". Overall, "I immediately started" is a clear and effective way to convey prompt action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I instantly started

Substitutes "immediately" with "instantly", highlighting the instantaneous nature of the action.

I straightaway started

Replaces "immediately" with "straightaway" for a slightly less formal tone, common in British English.

I directly started

Replaces "immediately" with "directly", emphasizing the lack of intermediary steps.

I began at once

Replaces "immediately" with "at once" for a slightly more formal tone.

I promptly started

Replaces "immediately" with "promptly", conveying a sense of readiness and efficiency.

I commenced right away

Uses "commenced" which sounds more formal than "started", and "right away" instead of "immediately".

I initiated without delay

Replaces "started" with "initiated" and "immediately" with "without delay", resulting in a more formal and deliberate tone.

I wasted no time in starting

Expresses the same idea but uses a more descriptive phrase.

I proceeded forthwith

Employs more archaic and formal language; "forthwith" strongly emphasizes immediacy.

I jumped right into it

An idiomatic alternative that suggests immediate and enthusiastic engagement.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "I began at once", "I commenced right away", or "I initiated without delay" depending on the context.

Is "I immediately started" formal or informal?

The phrase "I immediately started" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options exist for professional writing.

How to use "I immediately started" in a sentence?

You can use "I immediately started" to describe an action you began without delay. For example, "When I heard the news, "I immediately started" making calls."

What is the difference between "I immediately started" and "I quickly started"?

While both phrases indicate prompt action, "immediately" suggests an instantaneous start, whereas "quickly" implies speed in the execution of the action after it has begun.