it started well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it started well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that began positively or favorably. Example: "The meeting was productive, and it started well with everyone sharing their ideas openly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The cynical view of the 1990's is that it started well and then lost its promise.

The New York Times - Arts

It started well enough.

The New York Times - Sports

At least it started well.

The Guardian - Sport

It started well for them too.

The Guardian - Sport

It started well but ended in chaos.

The Guardian

It started well before A Brief History of Time.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It starts well.

The Guardian - Books

It starts well, but the first half is slow and should have been trimmed.

The Guardian - Books

Reviewers of Morrissey's already bestelling Autobiography agreed that it starts well.

The Guardian - Books

It starts well enough for Henin-Hardenne, when she hits a rasping backhand winner on the opening point.

The Guardian - Sport

It starts well, with an image of police violence against civil-rights protesters that typifies the power of Warhol's best work.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it started well" to set the stage for a narrative where initial positive momentum may or may not continue. This creates anticipation in the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it started well" as a standalone statement without providing context or further development. It can sound cliché if not followed by a contrasting or more nuanced outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it started well" primarily functions as an introductory clause or sentence fragment. It sets the stage by describing the positive initial state of an event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

20%

Books

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it started well" is a commonly used phrase to introduce a narrative element that began positively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. It functions as an introductory clause to set the scene and create anticipation. While suitable for both formal and informal registers, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Be sure to use it with enough context in order to generate further engagement. Related phrases, such as "it got off to a good start" or "it began auspiciously", can offer subtle variations in meaning and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it got off to a good start

Uses the idiomatic expression "got off to a good start" to convey a positive beginning.

it began auspiciously

Replaces "started" with "began" and adds the adverb "auspiciously" to emphasize the promising nature of the beginning.

it commenced favorably

Replaces "started" with "commenced" and "well" with "favorably", indicating a positive beginning.

the outset was promising

Emphasizes the initial phase ("outset") and describes it as "promising".

the initial phase was successful

Focuses on the "initial phase" and describes it as "successful".

the opening was encouraging

Highlights the "opening" and describes it as "encouraging".

it inaugurated positively

Uses "inaugurated" to mean started, and "positively" to indicate the good nature of the beginning.

it debuted strongly

Emphasizes the strength of the beginning by using the adverb "strongly".

it launched effectively

Indicates that the beginning was efficient and productive by using the adverb "effectively".

the inception was bright

Uses "inception" to refer to the beginning, and describes it as "bright".

FAQs

How can I use "it started well" in a sentence?

You can use "it started well" to describe any event, project, or relationship that had a promising beginning. For example, "The project team was highly motivated, and "it started well" with clear goals and enthusiastic participation."

What are some alternatives to "it started well"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it got off to a good start", "it began auspiciously", or "the outset was promising", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it started good" grammatically correct instead of "it started well"?

No, "it started good" is not grammatically correct. The adverb "well" should be used to modify the verb "started", not the adjective "good".

What does it imply when something "it started well" but the outcome was negative?

It implies a sense of irony or disappointment. It suggests that despite the initial promise, something went wrong along the way, leading to an unfavorable result. This contrast can create dramatic tension or highlight unforeseen challenges.