is only now starting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is only now starting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is beginning or commencing at the present moment, often after a delay or a period of inactivity. Example: "The project is only now starting to gain traction after months of planning and preparation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The main stage in the struggle to put Sierra Leone together is only now starting.

The Economist

But the medium is only now starting to earn respect in literary circles.

The Economist

In particular, the "bankruptcy bubble" of a year ago is only now starting to bear fruit.

The Economist

And the peak business and leisure travel time of the year is only now starting.

The New York Times

That created problems the industry is only now starting to address.

The New York Times - Sports

He says Baidu is only now starting to hit its stride.

The Guardian - Tech

And the pro-EU argument, until recently almost nonexistent, is only now starting to be heard.

The Guardian - Opinion

The US is only now starting to see progress in reducing mercury emissions.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is only now starting to talk about some of the things that happened out there.

The Guardian

She wears a brace on her left leg and is only now starting to climb the stairs on her own.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Stock portfolios are only now starting to recover.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. In formal settings, more precise alternatives like "is commencing now" or "is initiating now" might be more suitable. Whereas, in a more relaxed setting, "is just beginning" or "is getting underway" is suitable

Common error

Avoid using "is only now starting" when a more decisive verb is needed to convey a sense of urgency or strong action. For example, instead of "The company is only now starting to address the crisis", use "The company is actively addressing the crisis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is only now starting" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the beginning or commencement of an action or process. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and grammatical correctness. It highlights that the action has recently begun, often after a period of inactivity or delay. Examples from Ludwig show the phrase used across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Tech

17%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is only now starting" is a versatile verbal phrase used to indicate the recent commencement of an action or process, often with an implication of lateness or delay. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. While its neutral tone makes it suitable for general use, more formal settings may benefit from alternative expressions like "is commencing now". Usage patterns show its prevalence in News & Media, Technology, and Science, and the context of such examples provided by Ludwig, suggest that one should be careful in situations that require urgency, as the expression emphasis on the timeliness of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is just beginning

Uses "just beginning" to emphasize the initial stage of the action, slightly stronger than "is only now starting".

is commencing now

Replaces "starting" with the more formal "commencing", suitable for a professional context.

is initiating now

Similar to commencing, but with a stronger emphasis on the act of initiation.

has just been initiated

Uses passive voice to emphasize that the action was started by an external force.

is getting underway

An idiomatic expression indicating the commencement of a process or event.

is kicking off

An informal expression to convey a start of something.

is in its initial phase

Focuses on the phase of the action, highlighting that it is still in its early stages.

is on the verge of beginning

Emphasizes the imminence of the start, adding a sense of anticipation.

is barely getting started

Emphasizes the early stage of a process and the limited progress made so far.

is entering its first stages

Focuses on the progression into the initial stages of a process.

FAQs

How can I use "is only now starting" in a sentence?

Use "is only now starting" to indicate that something has just begun, often after some delay. For example, "The project "is only now starting" to gain momentum after initial setbacks".

What are some alternatives to "is only now starting"?

You can use alternatives like "is just beginning", "is commencing now", or "is getting underway" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is only now starting" instead of "has already started"?

"Is only now starting" emphasizes the recency and potential lateness of the commencement, while "has already started" simply indicates that something is in progress without focusing on the timing of its start. If the context requires to emphasis on the timeliness of something, it is better to use the former.

Is "is only now starting" formal or informal?

"Is only now starting" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider alternatives like "is commencing now".