had started already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had started already" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action began before a certain point in the past and emphasizes that it was already in progress at that time. Example: "By the time I arrived, the meeting had started already, and I missed the introduction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Yesterday on This Morning, he had started already.

The Guardian

This debate had started already in the 1860s, when Brentano criticized Zeller's interpretation of Aristotle in his Psychology of Aristotle and became quite intense and aggressive in the seventies and eighties of the nineteenth century.

SEP

And I couldn't believe it had started already.

Huffington Post

This era of legislative action had started already at the time of the baronial reform movement; the Statute of Marlborough (1267) contained elements both of the Provisions of Oxford and the Dictum of Kenilworth.

Wikipedia

Preparations for this had started already in the late 1990s.

FAO

Instead of being the cause for increased substitution rates, loss of photosynthesis may rather be a result of an accelerated evolution that had started already in the photosynthetic ancestors of the colorless lineages [[ 12], this study].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It has started already.

The New York Times - Sports

That process has started already.

The New York Times

The damage limitation has started already.

The Guardian - Film

It may well have started already.

The New York Times

And the financial recovery appears to have started already.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had started already" to clearly indicate that an action began before a specific point in the past, emphasizing its prior commencement. For example: "By the time the ambulance arrived, the evacuation "had started already".

Common error

Avoid using "had started already" with other redundant time indicators like "previously" or "beforehand" as this can create an unnecessary and awkward sentence structure. For example, instead of saying "It had started already previously", simply say "It had started already."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had started already" functions as past perfect tense emphasizing the completion of an action before a certain point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides multiple examples showing its usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had started already" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote that an action began before a specific point in time, emphasizing its prior commencement. While "had already started" is more commonplace, "had started already" is a valid alternative that can subtly enhance emphasis. The phrase appears in news media, scientific publications, and formal business documents. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability. Remember to avoid redundant time indicators and to consider context when choosing between "had started already" and its many alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had already begun

Emphasizes the beginning of the action with "begun" instead of "started", maintaining a similar level of formality.

had commenced already

Uses "commenced" to suggest a more formal beginning than "started", providing a more elevated tone.

was already underway

Focuses on the action being in progress rather than the start itself, highlighting continuity.

had already initiated

Replaces "started" with "initiated" to give a sense of a deliberate beginning or launch of something.

was already in motion

Emphasizes the movement and progression of the action, indicating that it had gained momentum.

had already taken off

Suggests a more rapid and successful beginning than "started", indicating a quick start.

had previously started

Highlights that the action had started at an earlier, unspecified time.

had gotten underway

An idiomatic alternative emphasizing the commencement of an event or activity.

was already happening

Simplifies the expression by focusing solely on the ongoing nature of the event.

had been set in motion

Highlights the initial action that led to the beginning of a process or event.

FAQs

How do I use "had started already" in a sentence?

Use "had started already" to indicate that something began before a specific point in the past. For example: "By the time I arrived, the movie "had started already".

What's the difference between "had started already" and "had already started"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, though "had already started" is slightly more common. "Had started already" can subtly emphasize that the action's commencement happened even sooner than expected. Consider also "had already begun" or "was already underway".

What can I say instead of "had started already"?

Alternatives include "had already begun", "was already underway", or "had commenced already", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "had started already"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. While "had already started" is more common, "had started already" is also acceptable and emphasizes the fact that something was in progress before a certain point.