started more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started more than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action began a certain amount of time ago, typically in reference to a duration or quantity. Example: "The project started more than two years ago, and we are still making progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Q. You've started more than five companies.

The New York Times

That audit process started more than two months ago.

The Economist

That cycle started more than 2,500 years ago.

The Guardian - Sport

The process started more than a year ago.

The New York Times - Style

Sanchez never started more than six games in a row.

The New York Times

Last year, students who work at the center started more than 50 new companies.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Fundamental studies related to the low-frequency (LF) noise performance in semiconductors started more than 40 years ago.

Microelectronics Reliability

AMS research started more than 15 years ago at our National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH), Bucharest.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

Yet Molina, in all his seasons, has never started more than half his team's games.

The New York Times - Sports

Historically, immigrants have started more than their share of new companies.

The New York Times

Robert Tchenguiz remains a suspect in the case, which started more than three years ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a duration or period, ensure that the time frame specified after "started more than" is clearly defined and relevant to the context. For example, "The project started more than two years ago" provides a specific timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using overly vague timeframes after "started more than", such as "a while ago" or "some time back", as it reduces the clarity and impact of the statement. Instead, provide a more precise duration or reference point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started more than" functions as a temporal indicator, specifying that an event or process commenced at a point exceeding a given duration or quantity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started more than" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something began before a certain time or exceeded a specified quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news articles to scientific papers. It is important to use specific timeframes to maintain clarity and impact. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, followed by scientific publications, which reflects its broad applicability. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "began exceeding" or "commenced over" for similar meanings, but always ensure the replacement suits the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been underway for longer than

This option emphasizes the duration of something that has already begun.

has been in progress for over

Similar to 'has been underway for longer than' but uses different wording.

commenced over

This phrase highlights the commencement of an action a certain time ago.

dates back further than

This phrase highlights the age of something that occurred further back in time than a stated point.

began exceeding

This alternative focuses on surpassing a certain quantity or limit from a starting point.

launched exceeding

Similar to "began exceeding" but puts more emphasis on a deliberate start or launch.

initiated beyond

This option emphasizes initiating an action that goes beyond a specified point.

originated past

This alternative focuses on the origin of something that occurred further back in time than a stated point.

existed prior to

This phrase highlights an existence before a certain period.

inaugurated beyond

This option emphasizes a formal beginning that surpasses a certain measure.

FAQs

How can I use "started more than" in a sentence?

You can use "started more than" to indicate that an action or event began a certain amount of time ago. For example, "The process "started more than a year ago"".

What are some alternatives to saying "started more than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "began exceeding", "commenced over", or "has been underway for longer than", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. The phrase "dates back further than" is another good alternative.

Is it grammatically correct to say "started more than"?

Yes, the phrase "started more than" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something began a certain amount of time ago or exceeded a specific quantity. Ludwig AI confirms this as well.

What's the difference between "started more than" and "began over"?

"Started more than" emphasizes the initiation point in relation to a duration or quantity, while "began over" primarily focuses on exceeding a certain point or limit from a starting point. Depending on the context, they can be interchangeable.