start up

USAGE SUMMARY

"start up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean "beginning or initiating a process or activity". For example, "The start up of the new company was a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Let's start up front.

The New York Times

start up costs?

Cornell University

Don't start up with soldiers.

The New Yorker

£2.1bn start up costs.

BBC

Start up Visual Studio.

WikiHow

Start up a game.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Start-Up Chile gains traction.

The New York Times

Start-Up: Crowdfunding?

The New York Times

Start-Up: Dirt Cheap?

The New York Times

The start-up failed.

The New York Times - Tech

You are the start-up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the financial aspect of beginning a business, use "start-up capital" to specifically denote the funds needed for launching the venture.

Common error

Avoid using "start up" (verb phrase) interchangeably with "start-up" (noun or adjective). "Start up" refers to the action of beginning, while "start-up" refers to a new business or its associated costs.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "start up" functions primarily as a verb of initiation, indicating the commencement or beginning of an action, process, or operation. Ludwig shows numerous examples in contexts ranging from starting engines to initiating software programs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

46%

News & Media

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "start up" is a common and versatile way to describe the beginning or initiation of an action, process, or business. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage spans diverse contexts, from technical guides to business news. While generally neutral in register, it's more frequent in informal settings like WikiHow. Remember to differentiate it from the noun/adjective "start-up", referring to a new company. When a more formal tone is needed, consider alternatives like "commence" or "initiate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin

A more general term for initiating an action or process. It lacks the specific connotation of setting something in motion or commencing operations.

commence

A formal alternative for starting something, often used in official or ceremonial contexts.

initiate

Implies the formal beginning or introduction of a project or plan.

launch

Suggests setting something into motion, often used for products or projects.

get going

An informal way to express starting an activity or journey.

establish

Refers to setting up something on a firm or permanent basis, such as a business or organization.

kick off

Similar to 'launch', often used in project management to signify the beginning of a project or event.

set in motion

Emphasizes the act of starting a process that then continues on its own.

originate

Focuses on the point of origin or creation of something.

get underway

Indicates that something has begun and is now in progress, typically used for journeys or projects.

FAQs

How to use "start up" in a sentence?

You can use "start up" to describe the beginning of a process, like "Let's start up the engine" or to refer to a new company, like "They are planning to start up a new business".

What's the difference between "start up" and "begin"?

"Start up" often implies initiating a specific activity or process, whereas "begin" is a more general term for commencing something. You might "start up" a computer, but you would simply "begin" reading a book.

Is "start up" formal or informal?

"Start up" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, "commence" or "initiate" might be preferred.

What can I say instead of "start up" when talking about a business?

When discussing a business, you could use alternatives like "launch", "establish", or "set up" to convey a similar meaning.