I kicked off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I kicked off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the beginning of an event, activity, or process. Example: "I kicked off the meeting with a brief introduction to the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I kicked off the sole-flapping holey pair I was wearing.

The New Yorker

I kicked off my boots and put on these Giuseppe Zanotti black sandals.

The New York Times

But if I kicked off my shoes and curled my feet up on the couch, he'd go bananas.

The New Yorker

So I kicked off for the day on Friday at one o'clock and went to the gym.

The New Yorker

"I kicked off a bit, which wasn't one of my crowning moments.

The Guardian - Sport

It's also where Juliet and I kicked off our honeymoon with a five-hour lunch.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

See you tomorrow when I kick off the week's solve before handing over the reins.

The New York Times

I shall be thinking about that as I kick off my Uggs and rewatch season five of Friends.

The Guardian - Opinion

I kick off the meeting by presenting a dashboard, illustrating the performance of the product in the previous week.

The Guardian

Not wishing to let the oven go to waste, I kick off with a pizza Margherita (£9), the simplest on offer.

Independent

Fresh off the plane from Tipperary, Ireland, my blood 80% full-cream milk, I kick off vegan week with a run, while I've still got the strength.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I kicked off" to convey an informal yet clear start to an activity, event, or project. It's suitable for news reporting, personal narratives, and less formal business communications.

Common error

While "I kicked off" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more formal alternatives such as "I initiated" or "I commenced" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I kicked off" is that of a phrasal verb functioning as the main verb in a sentence. It indicates the initiation or commencement of an action, event, or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I kicked off" is a common and acceptable phrasal verb used to indicate the start or initiation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in News & Media. While it's suitable for many contexts, it may be too informal for highly formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "I initiated" or "I commenced" might be more appropriate. When using "I kicked off", consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it aligns with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I started

A more general and common synonym for beginning something.

I began

Another common and straightforward way to express the start of an action.

I initiated

Replaces the phrasal verb with a single verb, indicating a formal start.

I commenced

Similar to 'initiated', suggesting a formal beginning.

I launched

Implies a more significant or public start.

I set in motion

Focuses on the act of starting a process or series of events.

I got underway

An idiom that means to start a journey or process.

I inaugurated

Suggests a formal or ceremonial beginning.

I got the ball rolling

An idiom suggesting the start of an activity or project.

I activated

Implies starting something that was previously inactive or dormant.

FAQs

How can I use "I kicked off" in a sentence?

"I kicked off" is a phrasal verb indicating the start of something. For example, "I kicked off the meeting with a summary of last quarter's results."

What are some alternatives to saying "I kicked off"?

You can use alternatives like "I started", "I began", or "I initiated" depending on the context.

Is "I kicked off" too informal for business writing?

While generally acceptable, "I kicked off" might be too casual for very formal business writing. Consider alternatives like "I commenced" or "I initiated" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "I kicked off" and "I started"?

The phrase "I kicked off" and "I started" are often interchangeable, but "I kicked off" can imply a more energetic or decisive beginning, while "I started" is more neutral.