as they started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the beginning of an action or event that is happening concurrently with another action. Example: "As they started to sing, the audience erupted in applause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As they started the driver said impatiently.

The New Yorker

As they started to climb, Armstrong seemed invincible.

The New Yorker

"As they started clearing the mines, people began moving in.

The New York Times

Then I covered my two friends and the girl as they started to climb the fence.

The New Yorker

As they started over the span, Ms. Rusch slipped her hair out of its ponytail.

The New York Times

As soon as they started driving it they noticed a change in people's attitudes.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, the Jets finished as they started, a bleating ensemble of confusion bordering on chaos.

The New York Times - Sports

As soon as they started to bid, Mr. Epstein knew he was in trouble.

The New York Times

Jeff Adrien's sentences trailed off almost as soon as they started.

The New York Times

It was a spirit the Lumineers would maintain as they started to tour more widely.

The New York Times - Arts

As they started up a valley away from the tight-ranked houses, the all-clear sounded.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as they started", ensure the following clause clearly indicates the immediate consequence or concurrent action. This provides clarity and strengthens the cause-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently. For instance, if you begin with "as they started", maintain the past tense in the subsequent clause unless there's a clear reason to switch to another tense. Incorrect: As they started, I think it's a good idea. Correct: As they started, I knew it was a good idea.

Linguistic Context

As an adverbial clause, "as they started" introduces a situation or event that provides context for the main clause. Ludwig's examples illustrate how this phrase commonly indicates concurrent or immediately subsequent actions. For example, 'As they started to climb, Armstrong seemed invincible.' This shows the state of Armstrong as they started to climb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they started" functions as an adverbial clause indicating the commencement of an action in relation to another. Ludwig provides numerous examples from diverse and reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is widely used in the news and media. The grammatical structure is sound, and its neutral register renders it suitable for both formal and informal writing. Pay attention to maintaining tense consistency and using specific verbs that describe the initial event accurately to improve clarity. Ludwig AI correctly assesses its grammatical validity and provides helpful contextual uses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from the moment they began

Adds emphasis to the exact timing of the start using "from the moment", highlighting immediacy.

right when they launched

Indicates the precise beginning point, suggesting that actions followed almost instantaneously.

when they commenced

Substitutes "started" with the more formal "commenced", increasing the formality of the sentence.

once they initiated

Replaces "as" with "once" to indicate a condition being met before something else happens.

as soon as they got underway

Uses the idiom "got underway" which suggests progress and momentum from the start.

directly they initiated

Uses 'directly' to indicate immediacy; emphasizes no time elapsed between starting and the consequent action.

upon their beginning

Replaces "as" with "upon", formalizing the phrase and emphasizing the immediate succession of events.

the instant they set out

Implies immediate action and purpose, using "set out" to suggest a journey or endeavor.

at the start of their activity

Conveys a sense of formal reporting and structured sequence of operations or actions, suited for formal contexts.

at their initiation

Uses the noun form "initiation" to describe the start, offering a more structured and less conversational tone.

FAQs

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

Use "as they started" to indicate that two actions or events are happening at the same time or in close succession. For example, "As they started the engine, the crowd cheered loudly".

What are some alternatives to "as they started"?

You can use alternatives like "when they commenced", "as soon as they began", or "upon their beginning" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as they started to started"?

No, "as they started to started" is grammatically incorrect and redundant. The correct form is "as they started" or "as they started to begin" only if you want to explicitly emphasize the initiation of a continuing action. It is preferable to rephrase entirely.

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

"As they started" implies simultaneity or near simultaneity of two events, while "after they started" indicates that one event happened following the completion of the initial action. For example, "As they started running, it began to rain" suggests that rain began at the same time; "After they started running, they felt more energized" implies running preceded feeling energized.