Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

ethically started

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ethically started" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that was initiated in an ethical manner, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The project was ethically started, ensuring that all stakeholders were considered from the beginning."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In addition, human uterus myomas, which are by-products of surgical operations, are an ethically superior starting material compared to EHS tumors in mice, which are grown purely for preparing TMEM for research purposes.

Science

BMC Cancer

If a substantial proportion of pension funds' money started being invested "ethically", the market impact would be huge.But wait.

News & Media

The Economist

This is where it started getting kind of ethically dubious.

News & Media

Vice

In downtime from his life as an Internet poltergeist, Griffith started to explore quieter, more ethically defensible intellectual pleasures.

When the pupils noticed that the Fairtrade sticker was missing from the bananas supplied through the government's school fruit scheme, they started to question whether they had been ethically sourced.

News & Media

The Guardian

This started with the design of a realistic, ethically acceptable study, including the choice of feasible diagnostic assessment methods and was followed by the recruitment of a representative cohort.

In addition, individual patient randomisation at the point that resuscitation started for OHCA would be both logistically and ethically challenging.

Science

BMJ Open

33 With regard to the cohorts including patients who may have started additional treatments, it is now neither practically nor ethically possible to obtain large treatment-naive cohorts.

But amid her calls for government to get a grip on its management of deals with the private sector, for companies to start behaving ethically and pay their taxes, and for both sides to lift what she described as a veil of secrecy over big government deals – Hodge has also raised one aspect of the whole outsourcing scandal that has had much less attention.

News & Media

The Guardian

The French started La Liste because they consider the World's 50 Best to be ethically suspect and also biased, particularly against French restaurants).

News & Media

The New Yorker

In 2008, a coalition of students started the MBA Oath, a voluntary pledge among students to "create value responsibly and ethically".

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "ethically started". Instead, rephrase your sentence to use clearer alternatives like "begun ethically" or "initiated ethically".

Common error

Don't directly translate adverbs to modify verbs when a more descriptive adjective or rephrasing could provide greater clarity. For instance, avoid saying "the project ethically started"; instead, say "the project was initiated ethically".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ethically started" attempts to combine an adverb and a verb to describe the manner of initiation. However, it's grammatically unconventional and lacks clear, established usage. Ludwig reports this awkwardness, suggesting rephrasing for improved clarity.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ethically started" is grammatically awkward and lacks clarity in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, the combination of the adverb "ethically" directly modifying the verb "started" is unconventional. While the intention is to describe an initiation guided by ethical principles, it's recommended to use clearer alternatives such as "begun ethically" or "initiated ethically". Due to the limited and potentially confusing usage, avoid using "ethically started" in formal or professional writing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ethically started" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives such as "begun ethically", "initiated ethically", or "started with ethical considerations" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

What does it mean to say something was "ethically started"?

The phrase generally implies that the initiation of a project, process, or venture was guided by ethical principles and considerations from the outset. However, it is better to clarify and use other terms.

Is "ethically started" grammatically correct?

While the individual words are valid, their combination as "ethically started" is not standard English. It's preferable to use clearer and more conventional phrasing.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid when describing an ethically responsible beginning?

Avoid awkward phrasing like "ethically started". Focus on clear, descriptive language that emphasizes the ethical considerations, such as "ethically responsible commencement" or "started with ethical principles".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: