launched

USAGE SUMMARY

"launched" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as either a verb or a noun. For example, "The company launched its new product last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, said photographs from North Korea showing a rocket launched from the sea appeared to be authentic.

The Guardian

It is believed to have launched a long-range rocket and put an object into orbit in December 2012, defying scepticism and international warnings not to pursue such a programme, which could be used to develop intercontinental missiles.

The Guardian

Obama was pointing to the bipartisan effort to get the program launched in Massachusetts to encourage his opponents to stop rooting for his law's failure.

The Guardian

He launched a crackdown and the movement was formally dissolved in 2005.

The Guardian

In response, Karimov launched a far-reaching crackdown on all forms of religious expression not expressly sanctioned by the state.

The Guardian

A police investigation was launched into the data issues.

The Guardian

The Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation into what went wrong and to determine whether the theme park was operating the ride within the law.

The Guardian

Sandi Toksvig, who launched WEP last month, said her decision to leave the News Quiz for politics was because: "It's very interesting that most of the mainstream parties seem to treat women's issues as if we were a minority group rather than in fact what we are, which is the majority of the country … you get childcare talked about as if it was only a woman's issue".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I launched Tehran Bureau to provide a platform for young Iranians and their stories, and to bring unvarnished and uncensored reports to readers around the world".

The Guardian

We just launched a design your own boots service and I have designed a lovely pair for spring.

The Guardian

Amos is the first senior international figure to visit Baba Amr since the Syrian government launched an assault against its opponents.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "launched" when you want to emphasize the beginning or initiation of a project, product, or campaign. It suggests a deliberate and often well-planned start.

Common error

While "launched" is versatile, it can sound overly formal in very casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "started" or "began" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "launched" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "launch." It indicates the completed action of starting or initiating something. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing the beginning of campaigns, products, investigations and offensives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "launched" is a versatile verb that signifies the commencement or initiation of an activity, campaign, product, or project. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, from formal business communications to news reports. While widely applicable, it's important to consider the formality of the setting; simpler alternatives like "started" may be preferable in casual conversations. Ludwig examples show "launched" is most frequently found in "News & Media" sources such as The Guardian. Overall, "launched" is a valuable term for effectively communicating the beginning of something significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiated

Implies a formal beginning or start to a project or activity.

commenced

Suggests a more formal and deliberate start.

started

A general term for beginning an activity or project.

began

Similar to 'started', but slightly more formal.

set in motion

Emphasizes the act of starting something that will continue to develop.

rolled out

Often used for the release of products or services.

unveiled

Implies a formal presentation or reveal at the start.

introduced

Focuses on bringing something new to the market or public.

established

Suggests creating a firm or lasting foundation from the beginning.

instigated

Implies initiating something, often with a sense of urgency or action.

FAQs

How can I use "launched" in a sentence?

You can use "launched" to describe the start of a new product, campaign, or initiative. For example, "The company "launched" a new marketing campaign last week".

What are some alternatives to "launched"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "initiated", "commenced", or "started".

Which is correct: "The product launched" or "The product was launched"?

Both are correct, but "The product was "launched"" is in the passive voice and is more common when you want to emphasize the product rather than the actor. "The product "launched"" is in the active voice.

What is the difference between "launched" and "introduced"?

"Launched" implies a more significant beginning or deployment, while "introduced" simply means something is being presented for the first time. A company might "launch" a product after "introducing" it to a select group.