once they start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once they start" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about a specific action or event that will happen in the future. It indicates that something will begin or occur at a certain point in time. Example: Once they start their new exercise routine, they will see significant changes in their fitness level.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bank runs, once they start, tend to spread.

The Economist

Once they start worrying about the present, we're in trouble".

The New York Times

Large depreciations, once they start, can be difficult to stop.

The Economist

"Once they start using it, they stick around".

The New York Times

Once they start, they are difficult to stem.

The New York Times

Women progress less consistently once they start having children".

Independent

Once they start losing, they say I'm cheating.

The New York Times - Tech

Once they start managing, though, managers can't stop managing.

The New York Times

Once they start hormone replacement therapy, the effects are obvious.

The Guardian

Once they start, they don't want to stop.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"When they get hit once, they start getting hit again.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "once they start", ensure that the subsequent clause clearly indicates the result or consequence of the starting action. This helps maintain clarity and logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "once they start" without a clear and logical connection to the following statement. Ensure that the result or consequence you describe genuinely follows from the commencement of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once they start" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that sets a condition for the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once they start" is a versatile conjunction phrase widely used across various contexts to express conditionality and consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its common presence in News & Media, Academia, and Science demonstrates its broad applicability. While neutral in tone, understanding the implied conditions and consequences is key to using it effectively. Remember that while perfectly valid, there are alternative phrases to "once they start" that can be used to better reflect register or nuances in meaning. Use caution to make sure that you select the best phrase for your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as soon as they commence

Replaces "start" with "commence", adding a slightly more formal tone.

immediately after they begin

Uses "immediately after" to emphasize the promptness of the subsequent action, changing the sentence structure.

from the moment they initiate

Emphasizes the specific point in time when the action begins, replacing 'start' with 'initiate'.

the instant they get underway

Implies a process is beginning, where "get underway" replaces the simpler 'start'.

upon their launching

More formal and emphasizes the beginning of a major undertaking or project.

the minute they take off

Informal and implies a quick or sudden start, often used for events or journeys.

after they've initiated

Focuses on the state after the initiation, adding a sense of completion to the start.

when they kick off

Very informal and suggests an energetic beginning to something.

following their embarkation

Formal and suggests the start of a journey or significant endeavor.

subsequent to their initiation

Highly formal and emphasizes the sequence of events following the start.

FAQs

How can I use "once they start" in a sentence?

Use "once they start" to indicate that something will happen or begin at a certain point in time, and something else will follow as a result. For example, "Once they start practicing, they get better at it".

What can I say instead of "once they start"?

You can use alternatives like "as soon as they commence", "immediately after they begin", or "from the moment they initiate" depending on the context.

Is "once they start" formal or informal?

"Once they start" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives exist if a more elevated style is needed.

How does the meaning change if I use "when they start" instead of "once they start"?

While both phrases indicate a point in time, "once they start" emphasizes that something will definitely happen after the starting point. "When they start" is more general and simply indicates at the time of starting.