been started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'been started' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has already occurred. For example: The project has already been started so there is no need to start from the beginning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A search has been started.

The New York Times

Few channels have been started since then.

The New York Times

Most had been started in the last 24 months.

The New York Times

Some have been started by human carelessness.

The New York Times

The chicken hadn't even been started.

The New York Times

Belated search committees have been started.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps it hasn't been started yet.

The New York Times - Arts

Labour-market reforms have been started but not expanded.

The Economist

It's already been started, thanks to an alumni organization.

The New York Times

Web groups have even been started by his devotees.

Independent

It had been started in 1977 by Sandusky.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been started" to clearly indicate that an action or process has already commenced. Ensure the tense is consistent throughout the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid mixing past and present tenses when using "been started". For example, instead of saying "The project has been started and now will continue", use "The project has been started and will now continue" to maintain consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been started" functions as the past perfect passive voice of the verb 'start'. It indicates that an action has been initiated and completed at some point in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, this is grammatically sound and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been started" functions as the past perfect passive, indicating that something has already commenced. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure consistent tense usage to avoid common writing errors. Consider alternatives like "has begun" or "was initiated" for stylistic variation. Based on the provided examples, this phrase is a reliable and versatile option for describing completed initial actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has begun

Offers a simpler and more direct alternative to "been started".

has commenced

Replaces "been started" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the beginning.

has been initiated

Uses a slightly more formal tone than "been started", focusing on the act of initiation.

was initiated

Emphasizes the formal introduction or establishment of something, similar to "been started".

was launched

Implies a formal or public beginning, as in the launch of a product or campaign.

has been set in motion

Emphasizes the action of starting something and its subsequent progression.

is underway

Indicates that something is currently in progress, similar to having been started.

is in progress

Similar to "is underway", this phrase highlights that something has started and is continuing.

has taken off

Suggests a successful or rapid beginning, adding a sense of momentum.

has come into effect

Implies that a law, rule, or plan has started to be implemented.

FAQs

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

You can use "been started" to indicate that an action or process has already begun. For example, "The investigation has "been started" by the authorities".

What are some alternatives to "been started"?

Alternatives include "has begun", "was initiated", or "has commenced", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is it correct to say "been start" instead of "been started"?

No, "been start" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""been started"", using the past participle of the verb 'start'.

What's the difference between "been started" and "being started"?

"Been started" indicates a completed action in the past, while "being started" implies an action that is currently in the process of starting. For example, "The process has "been started"" vs. "The process is "being started" now".