getting underway

USAGE SUMMARY

"getting underway" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to begin or start something. You can use it when describing the start of an event, task, or journey. Example: The conference will be getting underway at 9am tomorrow morning. Our new project is finally getting underway after months of planning. The ship slowly started getting underway, its engines humming to life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You can easily keep putting off getting underway forever.

Forbes

Games are getting underway around the league.

The Guardian - Sport

6.04pm GMT Kickoff Games getting underway now around the country.

The Guardian - Sport

Cherries are ripe and soft and harvests are getting underway.

Cornell University

An arts festival is getting underway on two downtown blocks.

The Washington Post

A Syrian-Israeli process has a better chance of getting underway than a Palestinian-Israeli process.

The New York Times

A press conference is getting underway in Brussels - it will be streamed here.

The Guardian - Business

The effort was "riddled with problems as it's getting underway," USA Today reported.

The New York Times

Join me for all the build-up, with the race getting underway at 5.55pm.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Elsewhere, efforts in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama are just now--or will be--getting underway.

Cornell University

Trials in humans are just now getting underway [ 27, 28].

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "getting underway" when you want to convey that preparations are complete and the actual activity is beginning, suggesting a transition from planning to execution.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "getting underway" in contexts that demand extreme formality, such as legal documents or highly technical reports. Opt for alternatives like "commencing" or "initiating" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting underway" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement or initiation of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies the beginning stages of something. For example, "The project is getting underway" shows the project is starting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

25%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting underway" is a versatile and common idiomatic phrase that signifies the start or commencement of an event, process, or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. While suitable for many contexts, it's best to avoid using it in extremely formal situations, opting for more formal alternatives instead. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Academic and Scientific sources. Related phrases include "commencing", "starting" and "beginning". By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can effectively use "getting underway" in your writing to convey the initiation of actions and events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting

Similar to 'beginning' but may imply a more active initiation.

beginning

A general term for starting, less idiomatic than "getting underway".

kicking off

More informal and often used for events or projects.

commencing

Focuses on a more formal start.

initiating

Implies a more deliberate and formal start to something.

launching

Often used for products, campaigns, or initiatives.

embarking on

Suggests a journey or new endeavor is beginning.

inaugurating

Implies a formal or ceremonial beginning.

setting in motion

Emphasizes the act of starting a process.

springing into action

Implies a quick and energetic start.

FAQs

What does "getting underway" mean?

"Getting underway" means beginning or starting. It often implies that preparations are complete and the actual activity is commencing.

How can I use "getting underway" in a sentence?

You can use "getting underway" to describe the start of an event, project, or process. For example, "The conference is "starting" now", or "Negotiations are "commencing"."

What are some alternatives to "getting underway"?

Alternatives include "beginning", "starting", "commencing", or "kicking off" depending on the context.

Is "getting underway" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely accepted, "getting underway" is generally more suitable for neutral to informal contexts. In very formal writing, consider alternatives like "commencing" or "initiating".