started construction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started construction" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when talking about the beginning of a construction process. For example, "The company started construction of the bridge last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We just started construction.

The New York Times

A We started construction in October.

The New York Times

Galaxy has started construction and has 500 workers.

The New York Times

Desperate, Xie accepted, and in January , 1996 Xu started construction.

The New Yorker

They started construction companies, eventually dominating the local industry.

The New York Times

You had just started construction of Milano 2 in 1970, leading your small and dedicated team.

The Economist

"When we started construction there was literally nothing else out there," Mr. Hartmann said.

The New York Times

We have started construction on a 20-acre piece of the 2,200 acres.

The New York Times

And Hyundai has just started construction of a $1 billion assembly plant in Hope Hull, Ala.

The New York Times

We started construction on Phase 2 of the condominiums in 2015, and that's another 750 units.

The New York Times

Ms. Wilson and Mr. Luck started construction of their 3,000-square-foot house in 1998.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the start of a construction project, specify the date or timeframe for clarity. For example, "They "started construction" in early 2024."

Common error

Avoid using "started construction" without specifying what is being constructed. Be specific: "They "started construction" on the new hospital wing", not just "They "started construction"."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started construction" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a building or infrastructure project. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It clearly communicates the initiation of the construction process, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started construction" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the beginning of a building or infrastructure project. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase itself is straightforward, providing specific details about what is being constructed and when the construction began enhances clarity. Alternatives like "began building" or "initiated construction" can be used to vary language, but "started construction" remains a clear and accessible option for most situations. It is important to remember that using it without further clarifications can lead to misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began building

Uses a different verb ("began" instead of "started") while conveying a similar meaning related to the initiation of building activity.

commenced building

Replaces "started" with the more formal "commenced", maintaining the core meaning.

initiated construction

Employs "initiated", a more formal synonym for "started", to denote the beginning of the construction process.

construction began

Changes the sentence structure to passive voice, highlighting the action rather than the actor.

broke ground on

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate the beginning of a construction project.

the project broke ground

Similar to "broke ground on", but focusing on the project itself as the subject.

launched the building phase

Rephrases the idea to focus on the "building phase" being launched, offering a slightly different perspective.

undertook construction

Substitutes "started" with "undertook", emphasizing the commitment to the construction process.

work commenced on

Uses the word "work" instead of "construction", with "commenced" as a more formal alternative to "started".

construction operations started

Adds detail by specifying "construction operations", making it suitable for technical contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "started construction" to describe the beginning of a building or development project. For example, "The company "started construction" on the new office complex last month".

What are some alternatives to saying "started construction"?

Some alternatives include "began building", "commenced building", or "initiated construction". The best choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "construction was started" instead of "started construction"?

"Construction was started" is grammatically correct but it uses the passive voice. "Started construction" is in the active voice, which is often more direct and preferred.

What's the difference between "started construction" and "completed construction"?

"Started construction" refers to the beginning phase of a building project, while "completed construction" indicates that the project has finished. They are opposite ends of the construction timeline.