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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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I started as a

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "I started as a" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain the role you began with when starting a new job, experience, or task. For example, "I started as a clerk at the local post office, and eventually got promoted to assistant manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I started as a violinist.

I started as a hobby.

I started as a painter.

News & Media

The New York Times

I started as a third baseman.

"I started as a day worker".

News & Media

The New York Times

"I started as a copycat," Rother told me.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Aisam Qureshi: Initially I started as a singles player.

News & Media

The New York Times

I started as a hoofer and all-round chorus girl.

News & Media

The Guardian

"I started as a musician, mainly piano and music theory.

News & Media

The Guardian

I started as a production superintendent and later was director of operations.

News & Media

The New York Times

I started as a student there in the middle of my sophomore year.

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started as a" when you want to clearly and concisely state your initial role or position in a specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "I started as" without specifying the role or position that you began with. Always complete the phrase to provide clarity and context. For instance, instead of saying just "I started as", say "I started as a software engineer."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started as a" functions as an introductory clause that indicates the speaker's initial role, position, or activity. It serves to provide context or background information, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I started as a" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce one's initial role or position, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to provide context and background information about an individual's career or involvement. While versatile across registers, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both professional and informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure you specify the role to avoid ambiguity.

FAQs

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

Use "I started as a" to describe your initial role or position within an organization, field, or activity. For example, "I started as a cashier, and now I'm the store manager" or "I started as a volunteer before becoming a full-time employee".

What are some alternatives to "I started as a"?

Alternatives include "I began my career as a", "My initial role was as a", or "I originally worked as a", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I have started as a" instead of "I started as a"?

While grammatically correct, "I have started as a" implies a more recent or ongoing beginning. "I started as a" is generally preferred for describing a past initial role. For instance, "I started as a project manager last year" is more natural than "I have started as a project manager last year".

What's the difference between "I started as a" and "I began as a"?

"I started as a" and "I began as a" are largely interchangeable. "Began" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but both effectively convey the idea of an initial role or position.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: