does not start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not beginning or initiating as expected or required. Example: "The meeting does not start until everyone arrives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He does not start.

The New York Times - Sports

He does not start, either.

The New York Times - Sports

Israel does not start wars.

The New York Times

The revolution does not start here.

The Guardian

But that does not start until 4pm.

The Guardian

And he does not start late or run over.

The New York Times

The picture does not start for two months yet.

The New Yorker

The qualifying race does not start until September.

Independent

If White does not start, Juan Rivera will.

The New York Times - Sports

"We just pray the fighting does not start again".

The New York Times

Training does not start until 10.30am but already he is raring to go.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does not start", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what process, event, or action is not beginning.

Common error

Avoid using "does not start" when you actually mean something has started but hasn't finished. "Does not start" implies a complete absence of commencement, not an incomplete process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not start" functions primarily as a negative verb phrase. It indicates the absence of initiation or commencement of an action or event. Ludwig examples confirm its use across various contexts to deny the beginning of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

30%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Sports

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not start" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that effectively communicates the non-initiation of an event or action. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general informational writing. While versatile, it's essential to use it accurately to avoid misinterpretations, ensuring that the context aligns with the intended meaning of something not beginning at all. Remember to clarify the subject to avoid ambiguity, and use alternative phrases like "fails to begin" or "doesn't initiate" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fails to begin

Replaces "does not start" with a more formal and direct synonym.

does not commence

Uses a more formal term, 'commence', instead of 'start'.

doesn't initiate

Substitutes 'start' with 'initiate', implying a lack of activation.

is not initiated

Focuses on the passive aspect of not being started by someone or something.

remains unstarted

Emphasizes the continuing state of not being started.

never begins

Highlights the absence of a beginning at any point.

is not triggered

Indicates a failure to activate or set in motion.

refuses to start

Suggests an active resistance to beginning.

fails to launch

Implies a failure to successfully begin or set off.

does not kick off

Uses a more informal, idiomatic expression.

FAQs

How can I use "does not start" in a sentence?

Use "does not start" to indicate that something has not begun. For example, "The meeting "does not start" until 3 PM".

What are some alternatives to "does not start"?

Alternatives include "fails to begin", "does not commence", or "doesn't initiate" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "does not start" and "has not started"?

"Does not start" typically refers to a future or general situation, while "has not started" refers to something that was expected to begin in the past but hasn't. Example: "The movie "does not start" until 8 PM (future)" versus "The movie "has not started" yet (past expectation)".

When is it incorrect to use "does not start"?

It's incorrect to use "does not start" if you mean something has begun but is incomplete. Use phrases like "has not finished" or "is still in progress" instead.