made a start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made a start" is correct and is often used in written English.
For example, you could say, "We made a start on our project, but still have a long way to go."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We've made a start.

The New York Times - Science

The UN made a start.

The Economist

He has made a start.

The Economist

But it has made a start.

The Economist

But some countries have made a start.

The Economist

The current management has made a start.

The Economist

The region has made a start.

The Economist

I made a start, though.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The government has made a start.

The Guardian

George Osborne has made a start.

The Guardian - Opinion

This week we have made a start.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made a start" when you want to emphasize that an initial action has been taken, but there is still more to be done.

Common error

Avoid using "made a start" when the action taken was minimal or insignificant. Ensure the start was meaningful enough to warrant mentioning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a start" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the initiation or beginning of an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It often implies that while a beginning has been made, more remains to be done.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made a start" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate the beginning of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it's observed across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase works well, users might consider more formal alternatives like "commenced" or "initiated" depending on the specific register. The key takeaway is that "made a start" effectively communicates that an initial action has been taken, often implying that more work remains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began

Simple past tense of 'begin', indicating a straightforward commencement.

took the first step

Emphasizes the initial action in a series of steps.

commenced

A more formal synonym for 'began', suggesting a deliberate start.

initiated

Implies a more significant or organized beginning.

got underway

Suggests that something has started and is now in progress.

set about

Indicates that someone has started working on something.

kicked off

An informal term for starting something, often used for events or projects.

launched

Implies a formal or public beginning, often used for products or campaigns.

embarked on

Suggests the beginning of a journey or endeavor.

broke ground

Often used to describe the beginning of a construction project, but can be used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "made a start" in a sentence?

You can use "made a start" to indicate that an initial step has been taken in a process or project. For example, "We "made a start" on the renovations, but there's still much to do."

What are some alternatives to "made a start"?

Alternatives to "made a start" include "began", "commenced", or "initiated", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "made a start" or "began"?

Both "made a start" and "began" are correct, but "made a start" emphasizes the initial action, while "began" is a more general term for starting something.

Can "made a start" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "made a start" can be used in formal writing, though more formal alternatives like "commenced" or "initiated" might be preferred in some contexts.