have kicked off

USAGE SUMMARY

"have kicked off" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate the start of an event or activity. Example: "The conference has kicked off with a keynote speech." Alternative expressions include "have begun" and "have started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It should have kicked off at 3pm.

Independent

Mantel would never have kicked off that way.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Had it gone in, there would barely have been time for Hull to have kicked off.

Independent

Game's Cyber Monday deals have kicked off, with £299.99 offers on Xbox One and PS4.

Independent

TWO explosions, one real and the other political, have kicked off Russia's election season.

The Economist

The BBC have kicked off their coverage with Bono and the Edge.

The Guardian - Sport

By now, many of these dancers have kicked off their shoes and are dancing barefoot.

The New York Times - Travel

Five minutes earlier, Eniola's Chelsea side will have kicked off against Women's Super League champions Liverpool.

The Guardian - Sport

Austin, Texas That cover of ours seems to have kicked off a bit of a fuss.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The game has kicked off.

The Guardian - Sport

5.30pm The match has kicked off.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have kicked off" to create a sense of dynamism and immediacy when describing the start of an event, campaign, or process, particularly in news or informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "have kicked off" in contexts where the literal act of kicking something is implied. The idiomatic meaning should be clear to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "have kicked off" functions primarily as a predicate, indicating the commencement or initiation of an action or event. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have kicked off" is a phrasal verb that means to have started or begun something. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it leans towards informal usage, so consider context when choosing it over alternatives like ""have begun"" or ""have started"". Be mindful of potential literal interpretations and ensure the idiomatic meaning is clear. Its frequency and informal tone make it well-suited for journalistic and casual communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have begun

A more general and straightforward way to express the start of something; lacks the idiomatic flavor of "have kicked off".

have started

Similar to "have begun" in its generality, but slightly more informal.

have commenced

A more formal alternative, often used in official or ceremonial contexts.

have initiated

Emphasizes the act of setting something in motion or starting a process.

have launched

Suggests a more deliberate and often public start, like a product launch or campaign.

have gotten underway

An idiomatic expression indicating that something has started, often after some preparation.

have inaugurated

Implies a formal or ceremonial beginning, often for an institution or project.

have ushered in

Suggests the start of a new era or phase, often with significant changes.

have set in motion

Focuses on the beginning of a process or chain of events.

are underway

Implies progress after starting. Focuses on ongoing activity, not the initial start.

FAQs

What does "have kicked off" mean?

The phrase "have kicked off" means to have started or begun something, often with a sense of energy or enthusiasm. It's an idiomatic expression commonly used in informal contexts, especially in sports and news reporting.

How can I use "have kicked off" in a sentence?

You can use "have kicked off" to describe the beginning of an event, project, or activity. For example: "The conference "has kicked off" with a keynote speech" or "The marketing campaign "has kicked off" with a series of online advertisements".

What are some alternatives to "have kicked off"?

Some alternatives to "have kicked off" include "have begun", "have started", "have commenced", or "have initiated". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "have kicked off" in formal writing?

While "have kicked off" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for informal or journalistic writing. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "have begun" or "have commenced".