only just started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only just started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has recently begun or commenced, often implying that it is still in its early stages. Example: "I only just started reading the book, so I can't give you a summary yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This has only just started".

The Guardian

I've only just started.

The Guardian

HSBC has only just started shedding assets.

Independent

It's only just started," she said.

The New York Times

- But I've only just started.

The Guardian - Books

But the endgame has only just started.

The New Yorker

We only just started playing football".

The Guardian - Sport

The adventure has only just started.

The Guardian - Travel

We've only just started talking about it".

The Guardian - Sport

"Our struggle has only just started," he said.

The Guardian

"The journey for the child has actually only just started.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only just started" to emphasize the early stage of an action or process, especially when implying potential for future development or change.

Common error

While acceptable, frequent use of "only just started" can sound repetitive in formal contexts. Opt for synonyms like "recently commenced" or "newly initiated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only just started" typically functions as a verb phrase modifier, indicating that an action or process has recently commenced. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the newness or initial stage of something. Examples show it modifying various verbs across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Sport

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only just started" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something has recently begun. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as a verb phrase modifier, emphasizing the initial stage of an action or process. While versatile across contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media, with neutral formality. When writing, consider synonyms such as "recently begun" or "newly initiated" for more formal settings. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recently begun

Simply states that the action started not long ago.

just commenced

Formally indicates the start of something.

barely begun

Emphasizes the minimal progress made.

hardly underway

Indicates that progress is minimal and recent.

newly initiated

Highlights the recent commencement of the activity.

freshly launched

Suggests a recent and possibly public beginning.

scarcely initiated

Emphasizes the minimal degree to which something has started.

just getting off the ground

Suggests the initial phase of launching or establishing something.

in its infancy

Uses a metaphor to describe the early stage of development.

at the starting point

Highlights the very beginning of a process.

FAQs

How can I use "only just started" in a sentence?

You can use "only just started" to indicate the beginning of an activity or process. For example, "I've "only just started" learning Spanish, so I can't hold a full conversation yet."

What's a more formal way to say "only just started"?

In formal writing, you could replace "only just started" with phrases like "recently commenced", "newly initiated", or "just begun" to maintain a professional tone.

Is there a difference between "only just started" and "just started"?

"Only just started" emphasizes the recency and the very beginning stage of an action. While "just started" also indicates a recent beginning, it might not carry the same implication of being at the very initial phase. Therefore, "only just started" is more emphatic.

What are some alternatives to "only just started"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "barely begun", "freshly launched", or "hardly underway".