got underway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got underway" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the beginning of an activity or event. For example: "The celebration got underway at 6 pm" or "The project officially got underway today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reading got underway.

The New Yorker

A rush of interferon research got underway.

The Guardian

At about 7 30 the bit shift got underway.

The New Yorker

The plan, however, failed before it got underway.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Klahn's nervousness was evident as the match got underway.

The New York Times

As Day Two got underway, the phones remained silent.

University of Pennsylvania

That life got underway at I.S. 52 yesterday.

The New York Times

Curling got underway Thursday, with the mixed doubles round robin.

The Washington Post

After achieving its goal it was shut down while the primary science mission of Mars Express got underway.

Acta Astronautica

Talk story about the Polio Vaccine Field Trials which got underway throughout the country last week.

The New Yorker

Two hours after the tag sale began, the auction got underway.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got underway" when you want to describe the commencement of an event, activity, or process. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a clear and concise way to indicate that something has begun.

Common error

Avoid overusing "got underway" in highly formal documents like academic papers. While acceptable in news and general writing, consider more sophisticated synonyms such as "commenced" or "initiated" for a polished, professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got underway" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning or start of an event, process, or activity. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got underway" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the beginning of an event or activity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and general writing. While suitable for many contexts, more formal synonyms may be preferred in academic or scientific settings. The phrase's neutral register and clear meaning make it a valuable tool for conveying the start of something in a concise and understandable manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began

Simple past tense of 'begin', directly indicating the start of something.

commenced

A more formal synonym for 'began', suitable for official or serious contexts.

initiated

Implies a formal start or launch, often with a structured plan or process.

kicked off

An informal expression for starting something, often used in sports or events.

started up

Suggests the beginning of an operation or process, often involving machinery or systems.

was launched

Indicates the beginning of a project, campaign, or product release.

got going

An informal way of saying something started to progress or function.

was set in motion

Emphasizes the initiation of a series of actions or events.

sprang into action

Highlights the sudden and energetic commencement of activity.

took flight

Figuratively implies that something began to succeed or gain momentum after its initial start.

FAQs

What does "got underway" mean?

"Got underway" means to have started or commenced. It's a common phrase used to indicate the beginning of an event, activity, or process.

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

You can use "got underway" to describe the start of something, such as: "The meeting "got underway" promptly at 9 AM" or "Construction on the new bridge "got underway" last week".

What are some alternatives to "got underway"?

Alternatives to "got underway" include "began", "commenced", "initiated", or "kicked off" depending on the context.

Is "got underway" formal or informal?

"Got underway" is generally considered suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, using alternatives like "commenced" or "initiated" might be preferable.