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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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been started on

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been started on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a process or task has begun, often in a passive construction. Example: "The project has been started on, and we expect to see progress soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Change.org petition to remove the sign is quickly gathering signatures, and another one has been started on Stopstreetharassment.org.org

News & Media

Huffington Post

The woman has been started on an H.I.V. drug regimen "and unfortunately one of the side effects is it's not good for the kidneys," Mr. Demetrio said.

News & Media

The New York Times

None but one of the HIV positive patients in the study had been started on antiretroviral treatment during the study and she had no evidence of lactose intolerance.

A petition has been started on the Number 10 website.

The two women and two children had already been started on their way.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The fire is believed to have been started on Thursday by target shooters.

News & Media

The New York Times

Some patients had been started on drugs without even receiving a firm diagnosis.

Hundreds of special interest groups have been started on the information systems.

News & Media

The New York Times

Nowhere would have a case been started on those grounds, but in Paris they did.

The Fine Arts program also lays claim to graduates who have been started on promising careers.

News & Media

The New York Times

Yes, the patient said, she had been started on another antidepressant before her last attack, too.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been started on" to clearly indicate when a process, project, or treatment has commenced, especially in formal or medical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "been started on" when active voice is more direct and appropriate. For instance, instead of "The project has been started on by the team", use "The team started the project".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been started on" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action has been initiated upon a subject. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as medical treatments and construction projects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been started on" functions as a passive construction to denote the commencement of a process, treatment, or project. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse fields like science, news, and formal communication. While alternatives such as "been commenced on" or "been initiated on" exist, careful consideration of the context is crucial for optimal clarity. Avoid overuse in favor of active voice when possible. With a high frequency and authoritative source backing, this phrase remains a valuable asset in written English.

FAQs

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

You can use "been started on" to indicate that a process or treatment has begun. For example, "The patient has been started on a new medication regimen" or "Construction has been started on the new bridge".

What are some alternatives to "been started on"?

Alternatives include "been initiated on", "been commenced on", or "been launched on", depending on the context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "start"?

While "been started on" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The fire had been started on purpose", you could say "Someone started the fire on purpose".

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

"Been started on" implies a passive construction, focusing on the subject receiving the action, whereas "started" is active. For example, "The project has been started on" focuses on the project, while "They started the project" emphasizes who initiated the action.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: