had starts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had starts" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words that does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "He had starts in several races last season, but he never won."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But I think probably what you learn most from that is, it had starts and stops.

The New York Times

He had starts in which he dominated hitters, but he relied too much on his fastball and grew fatigued as the season progressed.

The New York Times - Sports

"Though this movement has had starts and stops throughout world history, right now it's important to remember that we are young," he said after a singalong to a song of that name by the band Fun.

The New York Times

Not since the early 1980s, when the economy was coming out of a double-dip recession caused in large part by soaring interest rates that made homes unaffordable, had starts risen so rapidly.

The New York Times

After last Saturday's traumatic loss to Bangladesh, Andrew Strauss came out and said: "We've had starts at the top of the order, 20s, 30s but we've not had enough big scores," he added.

The Guardian - Sport

Everyone has had starts but we have only had one hundred as a group, that's an area we need to rectify as the season progresses".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It had started snowing.

The New York Times

School had started again.

The New Yorker

She had started it.

The New Yorker

And she had started it.

The New Yorker

They had started to shake.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more precise and common alternatives like "began", "started", or "initiated" to improve clarity and avoid potential confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "had starts" as it may sound unnatural. Opt for clearer and more common expressions like "had beginnings" or "initiated efforts" to communicate your intended meaning effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had starts" functions as a verb phrase suggesting the initiation of something. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is not entirely correct or commonly used in English, indicating a potential for misinterpretation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "had starts" appears in certain contexts, particularly within news and sports reporting, it is not considered standard English. Ludwig AI identifies this phrasing as incorrect, advising against its use in favor of clearer alternatives such as "experienced beginnings", "initiated efforts", or simply "started". While its intended meaning is generally understood as indicating the commencement of something, its non-standard nature can lead to awkwardness and potential misinterpretation. Therefore, it is best to opt for more common and precise expressions to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started initiatives

Simple and direct replacement focusing on the commencement of specific projects or programs.

began initiatives

Highlights the active initiation of projects or programs, focusing on purposeful action.

had trial runs

Refers to the experience of conducting tests or experiments to assess viability or effectiveness before full implementation.

experienced beginnings

Replaces "starts" with "beginnings", focusing on the initial phase of something. It's more general and less specific than the original phrase.

undertook launches

Focuses on the action of launching or introducing something new, whether projects, products, or initiatives.

experienced preliminary attempts

Emphasizes the experience of making initial efforts, often with the understanding that these might not be fully successful.

initiated efforts

Replaces "had starts" with a more formal term emphasizing the act of beginning something with a determined approach.

had initial phases

Focuses on the earliest stages of something, highlighting the developmental aspect.

commenced attempts

Uses "commenced" to emphasize the formal beginning of actions, projects, or tasks.

went through preliminary stages

Highlights the experience of passing through the first stages of development or action, often implying preparation.

FAQs

What does "had starts" mean?

The phrase "had starts" is not a standard English expression. It typically refers to having initial attempts or beginnings, but clearer alternatives are usually preferred.

How can I use "had starts" in a sentence?

While grammatically questionable, you might use it to mean "had beginnings", though more common phrases are recommended for better clarity. For example, instead of "The project had starts and stops", say "The project "experienced beginnings" and stops".

What can I say instead of "had starts"?

You can use alternatives like "began initiatives", "started attempts", or "initiated efforts" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had starts" or "had beginnings"?

"Had beginnings" is generally more accepted and clearer than "had starts". While "had starts" might be understood, it's not a standard or widely used phrase.