started a business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started a business" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of establishing or launching a new company or enterprise. Example: "After years of planning and saving, she finally started a business selling handmade jewelry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eventually, they started a business.

The New Yorker

Two years later I started a business.

The Guardian

Eventually they started a business making shoes.

The Guardian

· Have you started a business overseas?

The Guardian - Business

Laid off in 2008, she started a business.

The New York Times

He had started a business while at N.C.

The New York Times - Sports

They started a business relationship, becoming fast friends.

The New York Times

With a friend, she started a business making paper lampshades.

The New York Times - Food

Instead, he started a business of his own.

Cornell University

She started a business out of an upstairs bedroom.

The New York Times

Elisabeth and Matthew, of course, started a business together.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the act of beginning a company, "started a business" is a clear and widely understood phrase. Use it when you want to convey the simple action of launching an enterprise.

Common error

While synonyms like "kicked off a business" might seem appealing, they can undermine the seriousness of your message. Stick to "started a business", "launched a company", or "established an enterprise" in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started a business" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It describes the action of initiating or launching a commercial enterprise. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started a business" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of launching a company. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It's versatile enough for many situations, but consider formality when choosing synonyms. News & Media outlets frequently use this expression. For more formal contexts, consider "launched a company" or "established an enterprise". Be clear and direct when describing the act of beginning a new commercial venture.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launched a company

Uses "launched" instead of "started", emphasizing the beginning or initiation of the company.

established an enterprise

Replaces "business" with "enterprise", suggesting a more formal or ambitious venture, and "established" for "started".

created a startup

Specifically refers to a new and often innovative business venture, using "created" instead of "started".

founded a firm

Employs "founded" instead of "started", often used in a professional or legal context, and "firm" for "business".

initiated a venture

Substitutes "started" with "initiated" and "business" with "venture", indicating the commencement of a new project.

commenced operations

Replaces "started a business" with a more formal phrase referring to the beginning of business activities.

set up a shop

Suggests a smaller-scale business, often retail-oriented, using "set up" instead of "started".

pioneered a company

Emphasizes innovation and being the first in a particular market, using "pioneered" instead of "started".

built a corporation

Implies a larger, more structured business entity, using "built" instead of "started".

developed a practice

Commonly used for professional services like law or medicine, indicating the establishment of a professional business.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "started a business"?

Saying someone "started a business" means they initiated or launched a new company or enterprise, taking the first steps to create and operate it.

What are some alternatives to "started a business"?

You can use alternatives like "launched a company", "founded a firm", or "established an enterprise" to convey a similar meaning depending on the context.

Is "started a business" formal or informal language?

"Started a business" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but more formal alternatives like "established an enterprise" might be preferred in certain professional settings.

How can I use "started a business" in a sentence?

You can use "started a business" in a sentence like: "After years of working for others, she finally "started a business" of her own," or "Many people who are laid off decide to **"started a business"".