have started

USAGE SUMMARY

"have started" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing an action that has commenced in the past and is still ongoing in the present. For example: "We have started our research into the causes of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have started.

The New York Times

I have started 10.

The New York Times

The rains have started.

The New York Times

Many have started companies.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They would have started businesses.

The New York Times

They should have started earlier".

The New York Times

The winter sales have started.

The Economist

Jews have started all wars".

The New York Times - Books

Others have started informal businesses.

The Economist

I have started fund-raising.

The New York Times

And Russians have started travelling.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the verb tense agrees with the subject. For example, use "has started" for singular subjects (e.g., "He has started") and "have started" for plural subjects (e.g., "They have started").

Common error

Avoid using "have started" to describe actions that concluded entirely in the past without present relevance. Instead, use the simple past tense. For example, instead of "We have started the project last year", say "We started the project last year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have started" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of an action or process that extends to the present. It uses the present perfect tense to link a past action to the current moment. Ludwig confirms the correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have started" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate that an action or process began in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely applicable across various registers, from news and media to academic writing. When using "have started", remember to check tense consistency and consider context to ensure precise communication. Alternatives such as "commenced" or "begun" can offer stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begun

This alternative is a simple and direct synonym, suitable for most contexts where "have started" is used.

initiated

This alternative implies a more deliberate and planned beginning.

commenced

This alternative is a more formal synonym, suggesting a more official or ceremonious beginning.

launched

This alternative is suitable when referring to the start of a product, service, or campaign.

set in motion

This alternative emphasizes the act of causing something to begin and progress.

gotten underway

This alternative is more informal and suggests that something is now in progress.

embarked on

This alternative suggests a more significant or adventurous undertaking.

taken the first step

This alternative highlights the initial action in a process or journey.

kicked off

This alternative is an idiomatic and informal way to say something has begun, often used for events or projects.

instigated

This alternative implies causing something to start, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How do I use "have started" in a sentence?

Use "have started" to describe an action that began in the past and either continues into the present or has ongoing relevance. For example, "They have started construction on the new building."

What can I say instead of "have started"?

You can use alternatives like "commenced", "begun", or "initiated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have started" or "had started"?

"Have started" indicates an action that began in the past and has relevance to the present, while "had started" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For example, "They have started the meeting" (it's ongoing) versus "They had started the meeting before I arrived" (it was underway before I arrived).

What's the difference between "have started" and "started"?

"Have started" (present perfect) emphasizes the ongoing relevance or effect of the action, while "started" (simple past) simply states that the action occurred. For example, "I have started reading this book" implies you are still reading it or plan to, while "I started reading this book" simply notes the action of beginning to read it.