after they started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after they started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a point in time following the commencement of an action or event. Example: "After they started the project, they realized they needed more resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Soon after, they started making music.

The Guardian - Music

Twenty minutes after they started, the handoff was over.

The New York Times - Magazine

Soon after, they started to go out together.

The Guardian

The couple first stumbled upon Andes in 2000, soon after they started dating.

The New York Times

But on Tuesday, six months and 250 donations after they started, they reached their target.

The New York Times

The experiment was repeated before and after they started taking the Pill.

Independent

Soon after they started going out, Mr. Auer gave Ms. Patchett the nickname Pancho, which stuck.

The New York Times

They say the decline began soon after they started enforcing the new rule.

The New York Times

But soon after they started out, something even more bizarre had them transfixed.

The New York Times

"After they started shooting, I think they decided they were just going to do this guy".

The New Yorker

Soon after they started dating, friends noticed a change in Mr. Warner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after they started", ensure the subsequent clause clearly indicates the result or consequence of the action that began. This helps maintain a clear cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "after they started" when the core of your sentence isn't about the starting action itself. If the focus shifts away, consider rephrasing to emphasize the primary subject of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after they started" functions as a temporal marker, indicating that an event or action occurred subsequent to the commencement of another action performed by a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

20%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after they started" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves as a temporal marker, indicating an action or event occurred following the commencement of another. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is straightforward and clear, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, although it appears most commonly in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subsequent clause clearly relates to the initial action for maximum clarity. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "once they had begun" or "following their commencement". The phrase is straightforward in its utility and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once they had begun

Replaces "after" with "once" and "started" with "begun", emphasizing the completion of the initial action.

once they initiated

Replaces "after" with "once" and "started" with "initiated", emphasizing the action of beginning.

following their commencement

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the same temporal relationship.

subsequent to their initiation

Employs a formal tone, replacing "started" with "initiation" to denote the beginning.

since they embarked

Uses embarked instead of started

after the commencement

Focuses on the start itself and not on a person

in the wake of their starting

Implies that events happened as a result of the start

from the moment they began

Emphasizes immediacy, focusing on the specific instant the action began.

post their beginning

Uses Latinate phrasing and the word beginning as a noun

with the inception of their actions

Uses a more formal and abstract noun to describe the beginning of their actions.

FAQs

How can I use "after they started" in a sentence?

You can use "after they started" to indicate a sequence of events, showing that one action happened following the beginning of another. For example, "After they started the project, they realized it was more complex than initially thought."

What are some alternatives to "after they started"?

Alternatives include phrases like "once they began", "following their commencement", or "subsequent to their initiation", depending on the level of formality desired.

Is it ever incorrect to use "after they started"?

While grammatically correct, using "after they started" might be less impactful if the focus isn't on the starting action itself. In such cases, consider rephrasing to highlight the actual subject of interest.

What's the difference between "after they started" and "before they started"?

"After they started" indicates a time period following the initiation of an action, while "before they started" refers to the period preceding it. They are opposite in their temporal meaning.