are started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing actions that are initiated or begun, typically in the passive voice. Example: "The new projects are started every quarter to ensure continuous growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Heath fires are started by people".

Independent

Sometimes they are started as a joke.

The Guardian - Music

For instance, engines are started cold as well as hot.

The Economist

Parents are called in, and special exercise programs are started".

The New York Times - Magazine

Most businesses were and still are started by family members".

The New York Times

How many other articles are started on the front page?

The New York Times

The plants are started in the spring and the baby ginger is harvested in the fall.

The New York Times - Food

Their specific finding was that significantly more local businesses are started in such cities.

The New York Times

No companies, whether small businesses or large corporations, are started with the goal of creating jobs.

The New York Times

The "people" now have little say in the wars that are started or their moral justification.

The New York Times

History shows that wars are started even when odds are against participants.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "are started", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being initiated or begun. Clarity in subject-verb agreement enhances readability.

Common error

Avoid using "are started" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The engines are started by the technicians", use "The technicians start the engines".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are started" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being initiated or begun. This usage aligns with examples found in Ludwig, where various processes, projects, or events are described as being set in motion by an external force or circumstance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are started" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to indicate the initiation or commencement of an action or process. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's versatile across different formality levels, appearing frequently in scientific and news contexts. When using "are started", ensure clarity in subject-verb agreement and consider whether an active voice construction might be more direct. Alternatives like "are initiated" or "are commenced" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are initiated

Replaces "started" with a more formal synonym, "initiated".

are commenced

Substitutes "started" with "commenced", offering a slightly more formal tone.

are begun

Uses "begun" as a direct synonym for "started", changing the verb form.

are launched

Implies a more formal or significant beginning, such as a project or campaign.

are activated

Suggests the process of making something active or functional.

are triggered

Emphasizes that something is caused to begin by another event or action.

are set in motion

Replaces "started" with a phrase that emphasizes the act of causing something to move or progress.

are underway

Indicates that something has already started and is in progress.

are being started

Uses the present continuous passive form, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the starting process.

get started

Uses the active voice with "get", changing the focus from the thing being started to the action of starting.

FAQs

How is "are started" used in a sentence?

The phrase "are started" is used to indicate that something is being initiated or begun, such as "New projects "are started" every quarter".

What are some alternatives to "are started"?

You can use alternatives like "are initiated", "are commenced", or "are begun" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is started" instead of "are started"?

The phrase "is started" is used with singular subjects, while "are started" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The project is started" versus "The projects "are started"".

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

"Are started" indicates a passive action in the present tense (something is being started now), while "have started" indicates a completed action in the present perfect tense (something has already begun). For example, "The meetings "are started" on time" versus "The meetings "have started" early this week".