started from

USAGE SUMMARY

"started from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the beginning of a process, as in this example: "They started from a small store, and now they have locations around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I started from zero.

The New York Times

I started from scratch.

The New Yorker

We started from aliens".

The Guardian - Sport

"We started from scratch.

The New York Times

"We started from nothing.

MIT Technology Review

Started from Idabel, Oklahoma.

The Guardian

"We started from WeChat.

The New York Times - Tech

"South Sudan started from zero," he said.

The New York Times

"Right back where we started from".

The New York Times - Books

"We started from very different viewpoints.

The Economist

"He started from nothing," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started from" to clearly indicate the initial stage or point of origin in a process, project, or narrative. For example, "The company "started from" a small garage."

Common error

Ensure the tense of "started from" aligns with the rest of your sentence. Avoid mixing past and present tenses inappropriately. Instead of "The project starts from initial funding last year", write "The project "started from" initial funding last year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning or origin of an action, process, or state. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in various contexts. It specifies the initial point from which something commences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "started from" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase indicating the beginning or origin of something. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "originated from" or "began with" exist, "started from" is a versatile choice for clearly establishing the initial point of a process or event. It is important to maintain tense consistency and to ensure clear communication when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originated from

This alternative emphasizes the point of origin or the source from which something began.

began with

This phrase focuses on the initial point or action that initiated a process or event.

commenced from

A more formal alternative, indicating the official beginning or start of something.

initiated from

This emphasizes the action of starting or setting something in motion from a particular point.

stemmed from

Implies that something developed or arose as a result of something else.

arose from

Suggests that something emerged or came into existence from a particular cause or situation.

derived from

Highlights that something was obtained or developed from a specific source.

developed out of

Indicates that something evolved or grew from an earlier state or condition.

emerged from

Suggests that something came out of a specific situation or environment.

sprang from

Implies a sudden or rapid beginning from a specific origin.

FAQs

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

The phrase "started from" is used to indicate the point of origin or the beginning of something. For example, "The business "started from" a small investment" or "The investigation "started from" a single clue".

What are some alternatives to "started from"?

You can use alternatives such as "began with", "originated from", or "stemmed from" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "start from" instead of "started from"?

The correct form depends on the tense you intend to convey. "Start from" is used in the present tense, while ""started from"" is used in the past tense. For example, "We start from scratch" (present) versus "We "started from" scratch" (past).

What's the difference between "started from" and "began with"?

While both phrases indicate a beginning, ""started from"" often implies a journey or process from a specific point, whereas "began with" simply denotes the initial action or element. For example, "The project "started from" a small idea" versus "The meeting began with an introduction".