once it started

USAGE SUMMARY

"once it started" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically signifies a specific point in time when something began or happened. Example: "Once it started raining, we knew our picnic would have to be postponed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversations

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He said that authorities at the game at Sheffield had failed to anticipate the disaster or to contain its scale once it started, and that the police had engaged in a cover-up.

The New York Times - Sports

But once it started it didn't matter.

The New York Times

Once it started it seemed to go very quickly.

Independent

Once it started it could not end otherwise".

Independent

"Once it started, it continued to erode very rapidly".

The New York Times

But once it started, we all came together".

The New York Times - Sports

Once it started circulating, the greyhounds started to run".

The New York Times - Sports

"But once it started I just tried to treat it like another game, stay focused".

The New York Times - Sports

Once it started to get some attention, I started to receive some good submissions.

The New York Times

"Once it started, it kept moving, about a foot a second," he said.

The New York Times

I knew the vessel was going to sink once it started listing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once it started" to clearly indicate the moment an action or event began, emphasizing subsequent consequences or actions that followed. This helps create a sense of cause and effect in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "once it started" interchangeably with conjunctions like "if" or "although" because it specifically refers to a point in time. For example, don't write "If it started raining", when you mean "once it started raining", which indicates the time the rain began.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once it started" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies the moment an action or event begins. The Ludwig examples illustrate its use in setting the stage for subsequent events. The AI indicates that its grammar is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "once it started" is a versatile and frequently used temporal conjunction that effectively marks the beginning of an event and its immediate aftermath. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and prevalent in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and sports reporting. To enhance clarity, ensure that "once it started" is employed to emphasize the direct consequences following an action's commencement, distinguishing it from more general temporal markers like "after". While suitable for both formal and informal writing, consider opting for more sophisticated alternatives like "upon its inception" in highly formal settings to maintain a consistent tone. Top sources that employ the expression include The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, Huffington Post and Independent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as soon as it began

Focuses on the immediacy following the beginning of the action.

from the moment it commenced

Emphasizes a specific point in time and is more formal.

the instant it initiated

Highlights the lack of delay after something began.

upon its inception

A more formal and concise way of saying once something began.

when it got underway

Uses idiomatic language for something starting.

after its origination

Focuses on the origin and is more formal.

following the kickoff

Specifically indicates the commencement with a term (kickoff) of some process.

subsequent to its launch

Implies an organized initiation.

directly after it was triggered

Conveys immediate reaction after something started.

from its outbreak

Suggests a sudden or forceful beginning.

FAQs

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

Use "once it started" to indicate that something happened immediately after something else began. For example, "Once it started raining, we had to move the party indoors."

What can I say instead of "once it started"?

You can use alternatives like "as soon as it began", "from the moment it commenced", or "the instant it initiated" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "after it started" and "once it started"?

"After it started" simply indicates a time following the beginning, while "once it started" implies a more immediate consequence or shift in events right at the point of commencement.

Can "once it started" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "once it started" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though in highly formal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "upon its inception" for increased sophistication.